ORLANDO, Fla. -- A man and woman were shot and killed early Thursday morning in the Parramore area of Orlando.

The shooting occurred at about 12:18 a.m. outside the Haitian Oaks Apartments near 533 W. Anderson St.

According to Orlando police, officers in the area heard shots fired and discovered two bodies -- described only as a black man and a black woman in their 40s -- on the ground.

Other Orlando police officers stopped a vehicle on Terry Avenue that they thought was suspicious and detained the occupants. The people were temporarily detained, but police said they were not involved.

The motive for the shootings is not known.

The deaths mark the 16th and 17th homicides in Orlando this year. There were 42 homicides in Orlando in 2008.

"We're not going to allow one particular incident to change the fact that Parramore is becoming a safer and more livable neighborhood," Sgt. Barb Jones of the Orlando Police Department said.

Parramore residents said shootings no longer represent the area.

"The majority of the people here in Orange County, Orlando, are really working together to make this a great community to live in," Parramore preacher Bishop Anthony Lawrence said.

Other residents disagree, saying the murder numbers give a false impression.

"It's very frustrating. I mean, it's right outside my door, but I have two kids, there's nothing I can do. I'm just going to move as soon as I can," a resident said.

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