The two men who were killed in downtown Winnipeg over the weekend are being remembered as "friendly" patrons of the city's soup kitchens.

The bodies of Winnipeg natives Donald Collins, 65, and Stony Stanley Bushie, 48, were found less than a block apart on Saturday.

Collins was discovered at approximately 12:45 a.m. behind a building at 329 Hargrave St., while Bushie was found dead several hours later at the rear of 333 Portage Ave.

Police say they believe one male suspect, who was not known to the men, carried out both homicides.

Kristy Rebenchuk, a homeless worker with the Downtown Winnipeg Biz, told The Canadian Press that Collins and Bushie would use the group's soup kitchen on occasion, and that they were both "pleasant and engaging."

"They had their days, but I remember both of them always being happy with what they had," said Meaghan Wylie, another worker with the Downtown Winnipeg Biz.

"They wanted a better life and they had probably gone through a lot of traumatic experiences in their past. But they were dealing with it. That was their life. That's what they were content with," she added.

In a statement released Sunday, police advised people in Winnipeg's homeless community to use caution, avoid secluded areas and walk with others when possible.

One of the men was homeless, and police say the other man frequented the downtown area but had a home.

"Both the victims are vulnerable persons from our community here in Winnipeg," Sgt. John O'Donovan said at a news conference Sunday. "They suffer from mental health and/or substance abuse, and they spent their lives on the streets."

Rebenchuk told The Canadian Press that street people are often left exposed to crime.

"A lot of people suffer from struggles and barriers that they aren't able -- for a variety of reasons -- to protect themselves, so that leaves them very defenceless," said Rebenchuk.

Police are asking the public's for help in identifying a "person of interest" seen in surveillance footage.

In images released on Sunday, a man is seen wearing what appears to be a black sweater, blue jeans and a black and green backpack.

Police are also looking for helping in tracking down a man and a woman who were in the area on Friday night.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact investigators at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477

With files from The Canadian Press