Award Kabayiza is charged with murder in the death of 64-year-old Jesca Narahkabanza, who died from severe head injuries on Butternut Street. Her death is the 26th homicide in Syracuse this year. Matt Jarchow tells us how police and members of the community are reacting to the violence.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- In the 11 months of 2016, the city of Syracuse has seen crime take its toll. 

Sarah Brantley. Nathan Chandler. David Jones. Marcus Dunn. Maddox Lawrence. The names may seem random, but the list they share forms a somber connection.

"It's unfortunate. It's sad," Syracuse resident Marcine Bussey said.

This year's list of homicides in the city is 26 names long.

"This is madness right here," Syracuse resident Rashawn Sullivan said.

A Monday night killing broke the record for the most homicides in a single year. 

"It just shows on a collective level, the condition of Syracuse as a whole," Sullivan said.

Sullivan is just one Syracuse resident pleading for change. In fact, he's lived it. It's now been almost 19 years since Sullivan killed Jason Crawford. Since then, he's served his prison sentence, made peace with the Crawford family and been the change that he now asks the city to foster.

"We need to start building institutions that have certain curriculums in them that address that sickness that lives in the mind of the residents that live in Syracuse," Sullivan said.   

He says 26 homicides in one year reflects the mindset of the whole community, and says it's a problem for all its members. For police, the problem is a disturbing one to face. 

"The goal from the Syracuse Police Department at the onset is to have zero homicides," Police Chief Frank Fowler said. "And now, when you're talking about the 26th homicide of the year, it makes it a little tough." 

Each one takes a toll.

"That's 26 lives lost in the city of Syracuse; that's 26 of our citizens," Fowler said.

That number that can only rise as 2016 continues.

"It's definitely not a good thing," Bussey said. "It's the state of things, though. It's the state of things, unfortunately."