DOVER - Police are investigating the city’s eighth homicide within a year after a 35-year-old Dover man was shot to death early Monday morning, authorities said.

Preliminary investigation found that Jamal Weeks was shot at approximately 2:17 a.m. in the 900 block of West North Street and later pronounced dead at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, according to the Dover Police Department. The time of his death was not immediately known.

It was not immediately known whether Mr. Weeks was conscious when police arrived, spokesman Cpl. Mark Hoffman said. The nature of his wounds could not be disclosed and there was no early information available on where he was located.

While police said the suspect’s identity is unknown, they believe just one shooter was involved, Cpl. Hoffman said. “We believe it is just one suspect,” Cpl. Hoffman said.

Detectives went to the area and began interviewing potential witnesses and residents in the vicinity.

Police said other people were in the area when the shooting occurred.

“We believe there was a small group of people in the area when the incident occurred,” Cpl. Hoffman said.

After notification of the shooting, the first responding officer was at the scene within two minutes, authorities said.

Police said Mr. Weeks resided in the 1200 block of Kennedy Lane, approximately 2.5 miles from the shooting scene.

Cpl. Hoffman said police could not publicly disclose whether any physical evidence was recovered at the scene.

During a flurry of shootings this spring, Dover PD Chief Paul Bernat said he believed most of the incidents were drug-related. On Monday, police said it was unknown if the latest incident followed that pattern.

Authorities asked anyone with information to contact the Dover PD at 736-7111. Callers may remain anonymous.

Tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or online at www.tipsubmit.com or through the Dover PD MyPD Mobile App.

The respite ends

A monthlong respite in city shootings ended on July 6 when a 24-year-old man was shot in the area North New Street. An earlier flurry between April 18 and June 6 included 11 shooting incidents wounding 14 victims. Three homicides occurred between April 26 and May 14.

“There’s always concern whether it is one incident or multiple in any period of time,” Cpl. Hoffman said. “We are working diligently to solve this case and continue to be proactive in our duties.”

Authorities said a motive for the shooting was still under investigation.

Dover PD was the only responding law enforcement agency.

Authorities remained on the scene for approximately three hours, collecting evidence, conducting crime scene security, questioning neighbors among investigative operations.