Ohio man posts video of murder on social media
A man who killed a 74-year-old man in Cleveland, Ohio and posted a video of the act on FaceBook, is now being hunted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cleveland police.
The video of the murderous act, was posted on the social media website on Easter Sunday, by a man identified as 37-year-old Steve Stephens.
Stephens is believed to be hiding out in Ohio or may have fled to Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, or Michigan.
In the video, Stephens pulled up in his white Ford Fusion on a road in East Cleveland around 2 p.m. Sunday and said in the video, “I found somebody I’m about to kill.”
The victim identified as Robert Godwin Sir, was seen in the video reportedly looking for aluminum cans when Stephens approached him.
“Can you do me a favor?” Stephens asks Godwin before requesting the victim to say the name Joy Lane.
“She’s the reason why this is about to happen to you,” said Stephens before he raised the gun and pulled the trigger.
Stephen’s mother, Maggie Green, 53, told media reporters she learned of the shooting from her younger son, which prompted her to call Stephens.
In a brief phone call Stephens told his mother he was “shooting people” because he was “mad with his girlfriend.”
Joy Lane, Stephen’s ex-girlfriend, sent a text to CBS News expressing her sadness for the loss of an innocent life.
“We had been in a relationship for several years. I am sorry that all of this has happened. My heart and prayers goes out to the family members of the victim(s). Steve really is a nice guy… He is generous with everyone he knows. He was kind and loving to me and my children. This is a very difficult time for me and my family. Please respect our privacy at this time,” Lane wrote.
Authorities said the two men did not know each other.
In the video, Stephens claimed to have killed more than a dozen people in what he calls his “Easter day slaughter”, although police said they have not confirmed any other victims. .
Cleveland Chief of Police, Calvin Williams, said detectives spoke with Stephens by cellphone after he shot Godwin but had not made contact since.
“Obviously, he’s got deep, deep issues. Whether he was calm or not, he committed a heinous crime in this city,” Williams said.
The police chief also stated the victim’s family said there are several GoFundMe pages that have been created by people outside the family and have requested the public refrain from contributing to them.
The victim’s family is scheduled to give a statement on Monday afternoon.
