TAMPA, Fla. — Two shooting investigations are ongoing in which a man was killed at one location and two people were injured at another.
The first shooting happened around 1:43 p.m. Monday near East Columbus Drive and North Avenida Republica de Cuba (14th Street) in the city's V.M. Ybor neighborhood, according to Tampa Police Department Chief Mary O'Connor.
The extent of injuries involving the two people is not yet known, but they are said to be in serious condition. Investigators are still trying to identify a gunman or whether multiple shooters were involved, the chief said.
Officers then responded around 3:30 p.m. to the area of North 35th and East Chelsea streets on a report of a second shooting, the department said in a statement. A man was taken to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries.
It's not yet known whether the two shootings are related.
O'Connor pleaded with the community to help them fight crime before they happen during a news conference at the first shooting location.
"If someone sees something that's suspicious, we need the community to understand that Tampa PD needs to come out and help — Tampa PD can't do this on their own," she said. "...We are concerned about the violence in this community.
"Everybody needs to come together to prevent these future shootings."