Looks like the 1st one was in NJ or maybe Ohio...but the time zone thing comes into play. If you google "1st homicide of 2009" you will see there were several in the early morning hours all over the USA.
Cleveland Ohio = 12:30 AM
Newark, NJ = 3:00 AM
Louiville, KY = 7:00 AM
Chicago, IL = 2:10...