Homicide numbers indicate a rise in the number of Hispanics being killed in Prince George's County in recent months.

From mid-March to mid-May, Latinos accounted for 10 of the county's 24 homicides. Hispanics make up 21 percent of all homicides that county police investigate - a jump from an average of less than 13 percent over the past five years. Most of the slayings have occurred in or around Langley Park.

Latinos account for less than 12 percent of the county's population, according to the 2006 Census estimate, which is the latest data available.

Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey acknowledged the trend, saying it's "definitely a problem."

Sharon Taylor, a county police spokeswoman, warns against drawing generalizations from the increase. She says a string of murders could just as easily occur among another group.

Information fromThe Washington Post.

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