A Brief Life Remembered: Boston's First Murder Victim Of 2015

Preliminary figures suggest that murder rates in the U.S. will continue a decade-long decline, especially in big cities. The numbers were down in Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit and Columbus, among other cities.

Criminologists point to factors like smarter policing, surveillance cameras and high incarceration rates. But they also say that the lack of a consensus on what has gone right means that crime rates could spike once again.

That what's happened in Boston last year: 52 people were killed — 11 more than the year before. Alex DoSouto was the city's first murder victim of 2015. He was 24 and black, and for years, in and out of trouble.

From the Here & Now Contributors Network, Bruce Gellerman of WBUR has this look at the accomplishments and set-backs of Alex DoSouto's brief life.

Note: These photos were taken as part of previous reporting on violence interrupter Anthony “Big Time” Seymour.