WASHINGTON (AP) -- A new study says the number of younger black males involved in shooting deaths has gone up dramatically since 2000, even as the FBI says the murder rate nationwide is leveling off.

Last year, for example, the study from criminologists at Northeastern University says 426 black males between the ages of 14 and 17 were killed in gun crimes. That's a 40 percent increase from 2000.

An estimated 964 in the same age group committed fatal shootings in 2007 -- a 38 percent increase from seven years earlier.

The number of young white men who committed gun-related homicides also rose between 2000 and 2007 -- but not as dramatically.

The study puts some blame on the Bush administration for cutting grants to local police and juvenile crime prevention programs.

Incoming Vice President Joe Biden has promised funding to put 50,000 new police officers on the street.

(Copyright ©2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)