The Anniston Police Department is investigating after a 27-year-old man was discovered dead in a ditch and a gunshot victim was found in a roadway approximately two blocks away Saturday morning. Authorities believe the cases are linked.

The deceased man has been identified as Richard Austin Ward of Anniston. His body was found at about 11 a.m. in the 3200 block of Alexandria Road. Police say his cause of death hasn’t been determined, and an autopsy will be performed.

The shooting victim found at the intersection of 33rd Street and Stevens Street is a 55-year-old Anniston woman, police said in a news release. She was in critical condition and airlifted to UAB, according to police.

Anyone who has information about the case is asked to call Anniston police investigators at 256-240-4000.