Toledo police are investigating a link between three shootings this year that left two people dead.

On March 16, an unidentified shooter killed Ronnie Hopings, 39, outside his residence in the 2000 block of Wellesley Drive. Officers responded to an additional homicide Sunday in the 700 block of West Sylvania Avenue. They charged Telly Hopings, Jr., 22, with murder in the death of Eugene Blackman, 36.

Police also found three people shot Monday afternoon in the 2400 block of Trenton Avenue in the central city. Among those hit was Lamonte Hopings, who was struck in the head and critically injured, authorities said.

Investigators have determined the three Hopings men are related. They have not yet confirmed, however, the recent cases are retaliatory shootings, said Lt. Joe Heffernan, department spokesman.

“It's certainly leading us in a direction that way, but we haven’t made any arrest in the initial shooting of Ronnie Hopings or in this shooting of Lamonte Hopings,” he said.

Lieutenant Heffernan said it appears Lamonte Hopings was an intended victim of the Trenton Avenue shooting. The two others struck, Ester Willis, 67, and Thomas Armstrong, likely were not, he said. Their injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

Police are further reviewing the initial homicide of Ronnie Hopings and its connection to the cases. A motive has not been determined, but investigators believe he was the intended victim, Lieutenant Heffernan said.

Those with information are asked to call the Crime Stopper program at 419-255-1111.

Contact Ryan Dunn at: rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @rdunnblade.

First Published May 11, 2016, 4:00 a.m.