Fatal stabbing nearby DC police headquarters

In just a few hours on Monday, two murders happened back to back and just blocks away from each other.

A fatal stabbing occurred just steps away from the Metropolitan Police Department.

One woman said what many were thinking when they passed the crime scene where the victim was killed.

"If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere," said Yasmin Serrato.

She works nearby 4th Street in Northwest D.C. where the stabbing happened.

"Yeah, I'm a little surprised that this incident occurred," said Serrato. "I'm not quite sure what happened, but it looks pretty serious."

Police are trying to reach a family member of the victim before releasing an identity.

Less than two miles away, family members say 48-year-old Jerome Diggs was fatally shot.

"The memories we have of him are through love, his voice, the things he used to do with the family," said Diane Offutt. "He was always a peacemaker."

Diggs' sister was too upset to talk about any specifics surrounding her brother's death and residents were too scared to talk about it.

D.C. police say homicides are up 16 percent, violent crime is up two percent and overall crime is up one percent in the city compared to this time last year.