A warning has been issued across five different states over the suspect who filmed himself fatally shooting another man and then shared the video on social media.
The incident occurred on April 16 around 2 p.m. in Ohio. Steve Stephens, 37, posted a video of himself murdering an elderly man and then posted the video on Facebook, the Daily Mail reported.
In the video, which has been confirmed real by police, Stephens drives up to the elderly man, exits his vehicle and then shoots him. The victim was identified as Robert Godwin, 74.
Godwin’s son, Robert Godwin Jr., said his father was on an afternoon walk when Stephens approached him, Cleveland.com reported.
“I haven’t watched the video. I haven’t even looked at my cellphone or the news,” Godwin Jr. said. “I don’t really want to see it.”
In a Facebook post, Stephens claimed he killed 15 people that same day. Only one death has been confirmed at this time. Police have issued an aggravated murder warrant for Stephens’ arrest, warning residents in Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio to be on high alert.
In another Facebook post, Stephens blamed the shooting on a woman named Joy Lane, who is believed to be his ex-girlfriend, according to the Daily Mail. He wrote that he would only stop if she or his mother called him.
Lane, who is currently in protective custody said she was in a relationship with Stephens for “several years.”
“I am sorry that all of this has happened,” Lane wrote in a text message to CBS. “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,” she continued. “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.”
Stephens’ Facebook posts and account have since been deleted. The video of the shooting was on his page for about three hours.
“This is a horrific crime and we do not allow this kind of content on Facebook,” a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement. “We work hard to keep a safe environment on Facebook, and are in touch with law enforcement in emergencies when there are direct threats to physical safety.”
Stephen’s mother Maggie Green said her son called her on April 15, telling her, ” If you see me again, it’ll be a miracle.”
“He said this is the last time I was going to see him,” Green told CNN.
Sources: Daily Mail, Cleveland.com, CBS, CNN / Photo Credit: Facebook via Daily Mail, CNN via Daily Mail
