Two men gunned down overnight in unrelated slayings

Police are seeking suspects in two unrelated overnight gun homicides.

In the first case, someone shot a 36-year-old man multiple times on Taney Street near Somerset in North Philadelphia at 12:19 a.m., police spokeswoman Jillian Russell said. The victim, whose name wasn't released, died at Temple University Hospital at 1 a.m., Russell said. Police reported no suspects or motive.

Then, about 4:15 a.m., a gunman shot a 22-year-old bicyclist in the back as the victim biked with a friend on Watkins Street near Eighth. Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters early this morning that homicide happened after an armed robber confronted the pedaling pair and tried to steal one man's backpack, leading to a struggle. The robber brandished a gun and began blasting. The bicyclist, whose name wasn't released, died at 4:36 a.m. at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. His friend was uninjured. His attacker, Small said, also was on a bike, which he abandoned at the scene when he fled on foot with his victim's backpack.

Tipsters are urged to call homicide detectives at (215) 686-3334 or -3335.