Avoid a homicide around American state (5)
I believe the answer is:
idaho
'american state' is the definition.
(Idaho is an example)
'avoid a homicide around' is the wordplay.
'around' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'IDAHO' can be found hidden inside 'avoid a homicide'.
(Other definitions for idaho that I've seen before include "43rd US state" , "silver-mining state" , "US state in the Rocky Mountains" , "part of US near Washington" , "O, I had a change in this state" .)