SPD boosts patrols after early morning shootings injure four people

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Police Department is increasing patrols in several neighborhoods and popular nightlife areas after two shootings injured four people on Saturday morning.

The first shooting happened at 1 a.m. near 10th Avenue East and East Seneca Street on Capitol Hill.

Less than an hour later, gunfire erupted in Pioneer Square, in a parking lot at Occidental Avenue South and South Washington Street.

In the second incident, four people were injured. One victim's injuries were serious.

Whether the shootings are connected has not been determined.

An active investigation is underway for both crimes by the Gang Unit.

In the wake of the shootings on Saturday, Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole ordered more officers to patrol areas determined to be crime hotspots by the city's SeaStat program, a component of the department's plan to prevent gun violence.

SPD says the extra patrols are made possible by bringing in more officers on overtime and borrowing staff from the Gang Unit, SWAT and traffic divisions.