Murder facts for kids

Murder: What It Means

Murder is when one person intentionally kills another person. It's only called "murder" if it's against the law. If someone causes another person's death, but it wasn't planned or was an accident, it might be called manslaughter or homicide. Sometimes, a death caused by someone else might not be considered a crime at all. For example, if someone kills another person to protect themselves, it's often called self-defense. A person who commits murder is known as a murderer.

When Killing Isn't Murder

The legal meaning of "murder" and "manslaughter" can be different in various countries, and these definitions are often debated. For example:

• Killing during a war is usually not called "murder" by those involved in the war.
• Killing in self-defense (when someone who is being attacked kills the attacker to protect themselves) is usually not considered "murder."

Trying to Commit Murder

Attempted murder is a crime in places like England, Wales, Northern Ireland, states in the United States, and other legal areas. In common law countries, "attempted murder" means when someone tries to kill another person but doesn't succeed. Just planning a murder isn't enough; the person must take actions that come very close to, but don't actually result in, the death of the other person.

What is Assassination?

An "assassination" is a specific type of murder where someone is killed for a particular reason, often related to their public role or beliefs. This word is most often used when the person killed is a famous celebrity or someone involved in politics (people who work in government or lead a country).

Visualizing Homicide Rates

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  This chart from UNODC shows the homicide rate per 100,000 people in 2011.

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  This map shows the intentional homicide rate per 100,000 people in 2009 around the world.

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In Spanish: Homicidio doloso para niños