Winnipeg police believe the deaths of two men discovered downtown are connected, and that one suspect is responsible for both.

“They are very similar in nature, which leads us to believe they are linked,” Sgt. John O’Donovan of the homicide unit told media Sunday.

The bodies were discovered only a block apart, and police said there was not a “huge time difference” between the killings.

Around 12:45 a.m. Saturday, an elderly man was found dead in the alley near 329 Hargrave Street. Shortly after 6:30 p.m. the same day, another man was found dead behind APTN’s Winnipeg studios at 333 Portage Avenue.

"It was a security guard that worked for us, who was doing his rounds, he came across the body," said Naomi Clarke, producer for APTN national news.

Police believe the victim had laid there undiscovered for several hours.

O’Donovan called the killings brutal, and issued a safety warning for those in the homeless community.

“If you’re a person who lives on the streets and you happen to see this broadcast, you know what to do to stay safe and survive,” said O’Donovan. “Stay with your friends, there’s safety in numbers; don’t wander off with someone you don’t know.”

Police also made the rounds of the city’s homeless shelters Sunday, asking staff to pass on the warning to their clients.

“If you’re living on the street, or if you’re at risk of homelessness and you live in this part of town, you’re always aware that something like this can happen,” said Dan Maxson, Executive Director of Siloam Mission. “Either being beat up or in this case, killed.”

At this point, police believe one suspect is responsible for both homicides.

Authorities are asking for help to identify a person of interest in the case. On Sunday, they released four surveillance images of the man who, police believe, may have left Winnipeg.

Autopsies and family notifications are pending.

Investigators have not ruled out a connection to third homicide from April 10, when a homeless man was found beaten to death in a Main Street bus shack.

The homicide unit continues to investigate.

Anyone with information regarding these matters or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact investigators at (204) 986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at (204) 786-TIPS (8477).