Official Release: The FBI and its law enforcement partners made 8,629 arrests across the country as part of Summer Heat, the FBI’s nationwide initiative to combat violent crime during the summer.
“We are not messing around,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Our No. 1 mission is crushing violent crime. If you hurt a child, we’re coming for you. If you jack a car, we’re coming for you. If you’re polluting our neighborhoods with deadly drugs, we’re coming for you.”
Between June 24 and September 20, all 55 FBI field offices took part in the multi-pronged campaign to combat violent crime. The FBI increased its resources alongside state and local partners, executing federal warrants on dangerous felons and fugitives, dismantling violent gangs and transnational criminal organizations, locating and rescuing child victims, and resolving violent crime cases throughout Indian Country.
Of the 8,629 arrests, more than 6,500 were part of the FBI’s Violent Crime and Gang program. In addition, agents and intelligence specialists looking into violent crimes against children found or located 1,053 victim youngsters. Summer Heat activities also resulted in the seizures of 44,569 kilograms of cocaine, 421 kilograms of fentanyl, and 2,281 weapons.
“We are grateful for Director Kash Patel and our brave FBI agents who removed more than 8,600 violent offenders from our streets this summer,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump’s directive to make America safe again, this Department of Justice will continue prosecuting violent crime and dismantling criminal gangs who are wreaking havoc in our communities.”
Through a single operation, the FBI increased resources to target the most violent offenders in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Memphis, Tennessee; and Miami, Florida. In these four cities, FBI agents and their colleagues arrested 417 people and seized 159 guns.
Ten FBI field offices focused on apprehending dangerous fugitives, resulting in over 750 arrests, including more than 30 fugitives wanted for murder, and the seizure of over 60 firearms.
The Philadelphia Field Office made three arrests in connection with the June armed robbery of more than $2 million from an armored truck. The Kansas City Field Office announced three arrests in connection with a violent auto theft ring responsible for deaths, non-fatal shootings, and armed robberies.