Peel police are investigating two early morning shootings in Brampton that left two people dead and sent another to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police believe the attacks were “targeted” and appear to be related to each other.

The first call came in at 12:43 a.m. on Sunday and had officers responding to a home in the area of Vodden St. E. near Kennedy Rd. N.

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Peel police spokesperson Const. Danny Marttini said a man and woman, both in their late 20s, were found with gunshot wounds in the back of a taxi outside the home.

The man, identified as Clifford Correia, 27, of Brampton, was pronounced dead in hospital.

The woman remains in hospital in life-threatening condition.

Marttini described the suspect in that shooting as a male wearing dark clothing and said he fled in a dark-coloured Ford F-150. Police previously described the suspect as a white male, but that is now in question as new information has come in, said a Peel police spokesperson.

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Police also responded to a second shooting in Brampton at approximately 6:34 a.m. on Sunday in the area of Townley Cres. and Sunforest Dr.

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A man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have identified him as Derrick McKeown, 33, of Georgetown.

Marttini said police continue to investigate that incident and roads are closed in the area.

The Homicide and Missing Persons Bureau has taken over the investigation into both of these incidents.

Chaplain Delroy Sherman, who attended the scene near Vodden St. E., said he consoled the male victim’s brother and was told the victims were boyfriend and girlfriend.

“I was on the scene a couple of hours and met one of the family members. They didn’t want to talk too much, but I was able to have some prayers with them and give them some comfort,” said Sherman.

In an email to the Star Brampton mayor Linda Jeffrey expressed her condolences.

“My first thoughts are for the victims and their families - our thoughts and prayers are with them during this very difficult time,” Jeffrey said.

“I have full confidence that Peel Regional Police will conduct an thorough investigation and bring those who are responsible to justice. As this matter is under investigation I will not be making any further comments.”

Correction – Sept. 2, 2018: This article was updated from a previous version that misidentified the streets where the incidents took place.

Correction – Sept. 2, 2018: This article was edited from a previous version that misspelled the last name of Const. Danny Marttini.