Tampa police are investigating a pair of homicides that they believe are related.

  • Benjamin Edward Mitchell, 22, shot Monday
  • Monica Caridad Hoffa, 32, shot last week
  • Shootings happened about 10 blocks apart

"Both cases are somewhat unusual in that there are no clear motives behind the killings," the Tampa Police Department said in a news release issued Tuesday.

Benjamin Edward Mitchell, 22, was shot and killed Monday night at about 9 p.m. He was waiting at a bus stop near N 15th Street and E Frierson Avenue. It appears that he was alone, police said.

Monica Caridad Hoffa, 32, was shot and killed in the 1000 block of E New Orleans Avenue. Her body was found early Friday. The shooting may have occurred late Wednesday or on Thursday, according to police.

The two locations are within 10 blocks of each other in the southeast Seminole Heights area, authorities said.

The Police Department said it has blanketed the area with officers and notified residents to be on alert.

If any residents are businesses have surveillance video or clues that might assist detectives, they should call Tampa Police at 813-231-6130.