Cleveland Police investigating two overnight shootings downtown

Cleveland Police are investigating a pair of shootings that happened downtown that left one person dead and another person injured in the early hours of Monday morning. Police tell 3News that the first shooting occurred around 1 a.m. near E. 9th St. and Bolivar Rd. when a man was shot and killed in his car. The victim has been identified as 24-year-old Anthony Blackwell of Cleveland. The second shooting happened an hour later at E. 9th St. and Prospect Ave. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is in critical condition. The shootings come as there has been an increased focus on the violence in downtown Cleveland following the mass shooting that injured nine people on W. 6th St. on July 9. Last week, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb announced plans to for reducing violent crime and recruiting more police officers as a part of his Raising Investment in Safety for Everyone (RISE) Initiative. “The level of violence we are seeing in our city requires seismic investments and an all-hands-on-deck approach,” said Bibb in a statement. “We are engaging everyone — police, fire, EMS, building and housing, community relations, residents, nonprofit partners and businesses — to confront this issue. We all have a role in keeping Cleveland safe and everyone must send the message that we will not tolerate violence.” The RISE plan seeks to "invest in police and public safety, leveraging regional partnerships, promoting aggressive enforcement and increased police visibility, and increasing the use of technology to help tackle crime." This is a developing story. Please stick with 3News for the latest.