WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Drive-by shootings are up sharply in Wichita so far this year, and Police Chief Gordon Ramsay believes boredom stemming from the coronavirus lockdown is partly to blame.

Ramsay spoke in a Facebook video Tuesday. Ramsay says drive-by shootings are up 82% compared to the five-year average. There were 36 drive-by shootings between Jan. 1 and May 3, compared with the five-year average of 19.8.

Ramsay said that many of the shootings involved young people, and he noted that with recreational centers closed and many restaurants closed, many youths have a lot of idle time. He also cited an uptick in crimes like vandalism and domestic assault.

Homicides also are up. Wichita has had 18 killings so far this year, 58% above the five-year average of 11.4.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586790756899.png" alt="Police on the scene of a fatal drive-by shooting on April 13-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of a fatal drive-by shooting on April 13-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Drive-by shootings are up sharply in Wichita so far this year, and Police Chief Gordon Ramsay believes boredom stemming from the coronavirus lockdown is partly to blame.Ramsay spoke in a Facebook video Tuesday. Ramsay says drive-by shootings are up 82% compared to the five-year average. There were 36 drive-by shootings between Jan. 1 and May 3, compared with the five-year average of 19.8.Ramsay said that many of the shootings involved young people, and he noted that with recreational centers closed and many restaurants closed, many youths have a lot of idle time. He also cited an uptick in crimes like vandalism and domestic assault.Homicides also are up. Wichita has had 18 killings so far this year, 58% above the five-year average of 11.4.

Coronavirus cited in spike in Wichita drive-by shootings