Seven people were killed and several others were injured as authorities in both Orleans and Jefferson Parishes responded to several weekend shootings and stabbings.

Police described the recent spike in violent crime as isolated individual incidents, but said they were not random - and all of the cases in Orleans Parish shared certain similarities.

"We found that most of the victims surrounding this weekend's violence have had, most of these individuals have criminal records," says Sgt. Joe Narcisse with the NOPD.

The most recent crime related death took place just around 9 p.m. in Orleans Parish in the 1800 block of St. Roch.

Police said they found the body of a 65-year-old man in the side alley of an abandoned warehouse. He had a gunshot wound to the head.

Just about an hour earlier, Jefferson Parish deputies were on the scene of a murder in Harvey in the 1100 block of Tallow Tree Lane. The body of Jay Guadeloupe Portillo was found with a gunshot wound to the back. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Very early Sunday morning, JP deputies responded to a call.

Police say witnesses at West Jefferson Hospital saw a white Mercury Mountaineer drop off a 30-year-old man with several stab wounds to his body. He died a short time later. Investigators said they found out the victim was driven to the hospital from the intersection of Cross Street and the West Bank Expressway in Marrero, but they could not find a crime scene.

WWL-TV

1500 block North Johnson

About an hour earlier - in Orleans Parish - police were on the scene of a shooting in the 1500 block of North Johnson Street.

According to police, a 26-year-old man was found in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A few hours later, police arrested 23-year-old Kirk Williams in connection to the shooting; he was charged with one count of second degree murder.

Around 11:00 p.m. Saturday, police were investigating a triple shooting that resulted in the death of a 33-year-old New Orleans man in the 3000 block of Republic Street.

The victim died at the scene. Authorities said two others – both 21-years-old – were also shot and transported to a local hospital.

One was listed in critical condition – the other was stable.

Police said they believe the victims were on the porch of a home when the suspect or suspects approached them and opened fire.     

Shortly before that, police were investigating the slaying of a 33-year-old man in the 1400 block of Annette Street.

They said they arrived on the scene just after 10:00 p.m. and found the victim inside a home suffering from apparent stab wounds to the neck.

He died at the scene.

The weekend's spike in violence had begun earlier in the day Saturday as police were looking into the fatal shooting of a woman near the intersection of Higgins Boulevard and Press Street in Gentilly.

Around 1:00 p.m. police say they found the woman lying in the driveway of an apartment complex; she had been shot in the head and died at the scene.

Investigators said the victim had a tattoo that read “Jennifer” on her right forearm, but did not have identification on her.

Anyone with information on these cases has been asked to call Crimestoppers at 822-1111. Callers do not have to leave a name and could be eligible for a reward.