There is a noticeable increased police presence in one Greenville neighborhood that has seen one murder and another shooting in less than a week.

This morning four police cruisers were at the intersection of Westridge Court and Westpointe Drive. Police were checking drivers IDs and asking if they lived in the area.

Police have not made any arrests in Wednesday night's murder of Anthony Johnson on Westridge Court. Last night police said Johnson's murder and other recent crimes are gang related.

They say a group of 10-50 people, made up of gangs and other criminals, are responsible for several armed robberies, shootings, and the murder.

Chief Hassan Aden says the crime is confined to a couple of hot spots which are now receiving around the clock patrols.

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Greenville Police said at a press conference Thursday night several crimes since December 21st, including a murder Wednesday night, are gang related. Investigators say the general public should not be afraid they are targets because the recent victims have been targeted due to their connection to crime.

Police say a group of 10 - 50 people made up of gangs and other criminals are responsible for several armed robberies, shootings, and the murder of 36-year-old Anthony Johnson who was shot and killed in front of his Westridge Court apartment Wednesday night. The murder was just a few blocks from another shooting in the same neighborhood on Westgate Drive Saturday. 27 year old Demond Speight was shot several times in his front yard. We checked his condition at the hospital but were told he's not listed in the system.

Police made an arrest in the Saturday shooting case, but they are still looking for suspects in several of the other crimes. They did not release any suspect photos or descriptions Thursday.

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Police say they plan to update the media on any new developments on Greenville's first homicide of the year.

A 7:00 p.m. news conference is also expected to provide new information on other recent shootings as well within the city.

Anthony Johnson was found dead in the front of 1232-B Westridge Court just before 8:30 p.m. Police say the 36-year-old man had been shot multiple times in the upper body and legs.

Witnesses told police there had been a confrontation between Johnson and at least two other men in the street just before the shooting.

Johnson is from Tarboro, but police believe he was living at the apartment at Westridge Court.

The victim had a prior record for several drug and larceny convictions.

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Greenville police say one person has been killed following a shooting Wednesday night at Westridge Court.

Police responded to the report of gunshots fired at 1232-B Westridge Court just before 8:30 p.m.

Officer say they found 36-year-old Anthony Johnson dead in the front yard. He had been shot several times in the upper body and legs.

Witnesses told police there had been a confrontation between Johnson and at least two other men in the street just before the shooting.

There have been no arrests but police say they have developed leads in the case.

Johnson is from Tarboro, but police believe he was living at the apartment at Westridge Court.

Johnson has a prior record for several drug and larceny convictions.