Facebook Live Killer Steve Stephens
Police in the Cleveland area are searching for Steve Stephens, a man wanted in a killing that he broadcast live on Facebook.
(Facebook)
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Greater Cleveland residents -- and commenters from across the country -- have taken to Facebook and other online venues to express disbelief, outrage and heartbreak after police say Steve Stephens used the popular social media platform to broadcast the Easter Sunday slaying of a 74-year-old man.
Stephens remained on the loose as of Sunday night, but Cleveland police continue their citywide manhunt in the death of Robert Godwin Sr. on East 93rd Street.
The disturbing details of the Godwin's death drew reactions of shock and anger; the use of Facebook live to stream it as it happened drew those reactions even moreso.
The video remained on Facebook for nearly three hours before it was taken down and Stephens' page deactivated. Since then, the video has circulated around the Internet. One post featuring the video had already reached 1.6 million views within hours of publication.
But some social media users are urging folks not to view or share the graphic clip, including one user who identified himself as Godwin's grandson.
"Please please please stop retweeting that video and report anyone who has posted it! That is my grandfather show some respect," the tweet from user @god_winr said.
More than 17,000 people retweeted his message.
"Stop sharing that video of Mr. (Godwin's) last moments," a different user said. "Instead share this photo of (him) smiling at home."
Another user told people to retweet Stephens' information to aid in the manhunt "instead of retweeting the disturbing video of that man getting murdered."
(cleveland.com has posted an edited version of Stephens' video that does not show the shooting)
The story was picked up by news outlets across America and around the globe, including the New York Times, Washington Post and CNN. It trended for most of Sunday evening as police continued their search for Stephens.
In the video and on Facebook posts, Stephens said he was shooting because of a woman with whom Stephens said he was having relationship issues.
A police source told cleveland.com that the woman was Stephens' girlfriend. She is now in protective custody and "fully cooperative" in the search for Stephens, the source said.
Twitter users were quick to defend her, one saying it was his decision to kill, not hers. Others urged that the incident was not in any way her fault.
An outpouring of support came for Godwin's family, as well.
"I'm sorry for your loss and the way you've had to witness this," one user said.
"Stunned and saddened by this awful senseless horrific act. Deepest condolences to your family," another wrote.
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