2015-07-27

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — As summer scorches on, the city of Minneapolis is dealing with a disturbing trend in crime.

So far this year, police have seen an average of one murder per week. Over the weekend, three separate shootings resulted in two deaths.

The Minneapolis Police Department reports there have been 28 homicides so far this year in Minneapolis. Police say there were 19 homicides at this point last year.

The Minneapolis Police Department says the number of murders is on the rise for the first time in three years. Two shootings happened early Saturday morning.

One shooting in Dinkytown left one woman injured and police searching for a suspect. An officer-involved shooting Saturday at Pizza Luce in downtown Minneapolis left one suspect injured.

Then Saturday night around 10 p.m., a shooting near Franklin and Chicago Avenues left two men dead.

Police are still investigating these shootings and Minneapolis Police Department Spokesperson John Elder says anyone with information is asked to call police.

“We are continuing to talk to people and look for helpful surveillance video,” Elder said.

Authorities say there is typically an uptick in crime over the summer months because more people are outside.

Police say many of this year’s homicides involved guns, and while there is no obvious reason for the spike in crime, the motives in these homicides range from drug violence to disputes.

To try to combat the problem, police have added patrols over recent summers and officers are attending more community events than in past years.

Ultimately, police ask for people who know something about these crimes to come forward.

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