ST. PAUL — St. Paul police are investigating whether two shootings that left two men dead and a third critically wounded are related.

Officers were dispatched on a report of shots fired about 12:30 a.m. Thursday and found a man lying on a sidewalk. He had been shot numerous times.

He was taken to Regions Hospital where he’s in critical condition.

About the same time, officers responded to a residence a few blocks away and found two men inside who were fatally shot. Police continue to investigate any link between the two shootings.