Silke Jasso
News broke Easter Sunday afternoon that Cleveland Police were searching for Steve Stephens, who shot and killed an elderly man on Facebook Live.
Videos by Rare
It was a horrific crime, one we won’t show here.
The victim has since been identified as Robert Godwin Sr.
This is Mr. Robert Godwin Sr. He was killed in Cleveland, may he Rest In Peace. :(💜 pic.twitter.com/JTSGrkAjH8
— kaylee (@yo_its_kayleee) April 17, 2017
He was 74.
Shanice Dunning, a reporter with Cleveland 19 News, spoke with Godwin Sr.’s son and daughter earlier in the day, and they were distraught.
https://twitter.com/_LoyaI/status/853809099783450624
They said Godwin Sr. was “a good guy” who would “give you the shirt off his back.”
“This man right here was a good man,” his son, Robert Godwin Jr., said. “It’s not real.”
https://twitter.com/ShaniceDunning/status/853719072697180164
“I feel like my heart is going to stop,” the grieving woman said.
His family said he spent Easter morning fishing.
RELATED: A Cleveland man is on the run after killing an old man on Facebook Live — here’s what we know
Pictures of Godwin Sr. have since been circulated on social media.
https://twitter.com/RealSkelton/status/853762898182778881
According to Cleveland.com, Godwin Sr. was a retired foundry worker, and is survived by nine children, 14 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
Godwin Jr. said he last saw his dad Sunday morning when he came by to pick up basketball equipment for one of his other sons.
“He hugged my wife and me and said ‘I’ll see you guys next time,'” Godwin Jr. said. “I said ‘OK, enjoy your Easter.'”
Godwin Sr.’s killer is still on the loose.
Police have put out the following information on Stephens.
Homicide Suspect Wanted (PHOTO) Steve Stephens https://t.co/WlKymPrQX2 pic.twitter.com/GbkFia7yP6
— Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) April 16, 2017
Actual photo of Steve Stephens, homicide suspect's, actual vehicle. Please call 9-1-1 if seen. Plate not yet available. pic.twitter.com/hn8a8nQEAP
— Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) April 16, 2017
UPDATE Homicide suspect Steve Stephens' actual vehicle has Ohio Temp tag E363630 pic.twitter.com/tE3r5u4BNN
— Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) April 17, 2017
Facebook has given its response to the horrific murder, which was not only streamed live but remained on Facebook for three hours.
Facebook statement on Cleveland shooting video: "This is a horrific crime and we do not allow this kind of content" https://t.co/G8mpL2QxfI
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 16, 2017
“This is a horrific crime and we do not allow this kind of content on Facebook,” a Facebook 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.”
The streamed murder comes after a long line of horrifying live streamed incidents on Facebook, including but not limited to: kidnap and torture, accidental shooting deaths, fatal police shootings, and youth suicides.
Although Stephens claimed to have killed other people, police have not, to this point, found evidence of that.
