The Newark Police Department is investigating four separate shootings that left eight people injured Wednesday night in the city.

Police have also reported that five arrests have been made related to recent gun violence.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka says that the increase in gun violence in the city stems from the increase of illegal guns getting into the hands of violent criminals.

“We are shocked and disgusted by this outrageous level of senseless violence and it will not be tolerated,” Baraka and Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara said in a joint statement. “We need the entire judicial system to help us, as many of these persons involved were released into the community despite having pending criminal cases and previous weapons offenses.”

They said that police officers in the city have been working around the clock to combat the violence.

“This level of gun violence is entirely unacceptable and we implore all concerned community members, who are also rightfully outraged, to come forward with any information that can assist us in identifying these suspects, who have callously inflicted violence on our streets,” Baraka and O’Hara wrote.

They say that nearly 700 illegal weapons have been recovered this year – a 32% increase from this time last year.

Anyone who has information about any crimes in Newark can call the police at 1-877-NWK-TIPS.