Police say they are looking into whether there is a connection between two early morning shootings not far from each other in Copiague.

Authorities say the first shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. Monday after a fight outside a 7-Eleven on Oak Street. One person was shot in the hand.

Less than a half-mile away and an hour and a half later, police say another person suffered a gunshot wound to the arm near a laundromat on Great Neck Road.

Sharon Fattoruso, of the Copiague Cares Coalition, says the hamlet has seen its share of challenges as far as gangs and violence are concerned, but she hopes residents will act when they see something suspicious.

Anyone with information on either incident is urged to call Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.