BUFFALO, N.Y. -- It was a violent and deadly start to the New Year in the Queen City and now police say that the three homicides that happened Sunday were not random.
Investigators say 22-year-old Xavier Wimes of Cheektowaga was shot and killed around 1 a.m. in the first block of Byrd Way.
Then, just down the block on McNeeley Way, around 6:30 a.m., 25-year-old Alvin McDowell of Buffalo was shot to death.
Police are working to determine if those two shootings are related.
About four hours later, a 30-year-old Buffalo woman was shot and killed on Gold Street.
Her name is not yet being released and police said that shooting doesn't appear to be related to the other two.
Police are following leads in each case.
If anyone has any information on the shootings, they're asked to call or text the confidential police tip call line at 716-847-2255.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown released a statement Monday following the rash of violence on New Year's Day saying, "I want to assure our residents that our police department is working overtime on these cases and following leads. These incidents were not random acts and will not be tolerated. I would ask anyone that has information to call Buffalo police immediately."