A VIEW TO A KILL
Cleveland Facebook gunman Steve Stephens filmed himself firing at targets on the shooting range before Easter Sunday slaughter
THE evil gunman who shared a Facebook video of the moment he shot dead an elderly grandad filmed himself training for the Easter Sunday slaughter on the shooting range.
Steve Stephens, 37, is on the run after he executed Robert Godwin Sr, 74, in Cleveland, Ohio, and boasted about killing 14 others because he was "mad" with his ex-girlfriend.
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A disturbing video posted to Stephens’ Facebook shows the killer gearing up for the murder by firing at targets with a semi-automatic weapon.
He can be heard boasting he is a “good shot” before saying: “I’m going to shoot somebody today in the a** with this one.”
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Cops are hunting Stephens, 37, after he uploaded a video of Mr Godwin's murder on Facebook Live at around 2pm on Sunday.
In the graphic footage, Stephens can be seen approaching Mr Godwin in the street, saying: "Found me somebody I'm about to kill... this old dude."
He then asks the elderly grandad to say his ex-girlfriend's name to the camera, before adding: "She's the reason this is about to happen to you."
Stephens filmed himself pointing and shooting his gun at the man who fell to the ground, with blood pouring from his face down onto the pavement.
In a series of Facebook posts, Stephens claimed he had killed a total of 15 people in what he called an “Easter day slaughter”.
He left chilling Facebook rants blaming debt and the break up of his relationship as a trigger for the murder.
Cleveland Police confirmed the shooting broadcast on Facebook was real, but said they were not aware of any other killings.
The city is on lockdown as police continue to search for "armed and dangerous" Stephens - who calls himself Stevie Steve on social media.
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During the broadcast, Stephens wrote on Facebook he wouldn't stop killing until his mum and Joy Lane - reported to be his ex-partner - called him.
His mum Maggie Green told her son said he was "mad with his girlfriend" when they spoke on Sunday.
She said: “That’s why he is shooting people and he won’t stop until his mother or girlfriend tell him to stop.”
Ms Green said her son told her it was going to be the "last time" they were going to see each other.
"If you see me again, it'll be a miracle," he said, according to Ms Green.
Stephens and his girlfriend had recently split after three years, according to reports.
Ms Lane has since revealed she is “safe” and “praying” for Mr Godwin’s family.
The killer's ex-girlfriend wrote on Facebook: “I am safe and with the police. I am Not okay… this is a lot.
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“I can’t believe this is happening. I am very sad for everyone involved. I am praying for them and I am praying for Steve. He needs help.”
She told CBS News in a text message: “We had been in a relationship for several years. I am sorry that all of this has happened.
"My heart & 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.”
In another video, Stephens, 37, tells a friend on the phone he "just snapped" and had a lot of "built-up anger and frustration".
He then tells the friend he has killed 13 people and will keep killing until "they catch me", adding: "I shamed myself."
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In a press conference just before 7pm local time, Cleveland Police confirmed Stephens was still on the loose but said they had searched several locations and were not aware of any other victims.
They said they hadn't had any sightings of him since the "senseless" shooting and didn't know if he was still in the area.
Cleveland Police chief Calvin Williams urged Stephens to turn himself in, saying: "He can't keep victimising his community based on his issues."
Police have launched a huge manhunt for the killer and warned residents in Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana and Michigan to be on alert because he may have crossed state lines.
It is feared he could now be in Pennsylvania, where police in the city of Erie told local media the suspect’s mobile phone “pinged” off a tower there just before 10pm local time - about eight hours after the shooting.
There have been no confirmed sightings, TV station WKBW reported.
Police believe the shooting was a "random attack" because Stephens and Godwin did not know each other.
"From what we can tell now, it's just a random person that he picked out. We don't know why," Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said.
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Cops in Cleveland are investigating a double shooting in a car park in Tremont - but there is no suggestion that it is linked to the manhunt for Steve Stephens.
Two people were reportedly shot while they sat in a parked car in Tremont Flats.
In a heartbreaking video of a man and a woman, reported to be Mr Godwin's, children, said he was a "good man" and would "give you the shirt off his back".
"I feel like my heart is going to stop," his daughter told reporters.
Another woman believed to be Mr Godwin's granddaughter said it was the second anniversary of her father's death.
She wrote on Twitter: "All i ask is why."
Easter day slaughter: what we know so far
- Steve Stephens shot Robert Godwin, 74, dead and streamed the murder live on Facebook
- Stephens claims to have killed between 12 and 15 others, but police have not confirmed this or found any bodies
- Cops and the FBI are hunting the suspect and have said 'we need Steve to turn himself in'
- Stephens is thought to be driving a white Ford SUV and is wearing a blue and black striped polo shirt
- Stephens left posts on Facebook describing crippling gambling debts and a break-up with his partner Joy Lane before saying 'he just snapped'
- In one Facebook Live video he says he will not stop killing until Joy or his mum call him
- Stephens' mum urged the 37-year-old to turn himself in and says he 'never had any serious issues'
- Hospitals do not have any reports of more shooting victims
- Robert Godwin's children paid an emotional tribute to their dad, who they described as a 'good man'
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Stephens is reported to work as a mental health case worker with children at the Beech Brook facility.
In a statement, they said: "We are shocked and horrified and we don't know anything more about it.
"We hope and pray that he is arrested as soon as possible and we hope and pray for a resolution quickly."
In one Facebook post, Stephens tagged co-workers asking them to let his boss know he wouldn't be in work tomorrow, writing "I'm sorry team but I'm to far gone [sic]" and adding "I'm the #goodguy".
He also wrote that the last year his life had been f***** up, and he had lost everything through gambling at the Cleveland Jack casino.
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The Sun Online has seen the graphic and upsetting video - which was on Facebook for three hours before Stephens' profile was taken down - but has chosen not to show it in full.
The highly-distressing footage starts with a man driving while filming heard saying: "Found me somebody I'm about to kill... this old dude."
He then stops the car and approaches the elderly man in the street, saying: "Can you do me a favour?"
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He then asks the elderly man to say a name, saying: "She's the reason this is about to happen to you."
The shooter then asks the man how old he is, before pointing his gun at the man who holds his hands up in fear.
He then pulls the trigger and the elderly man falls to the ground, with blood pouring from his face down the pavement.
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Cops said the suspect was last seen near Case Western Reserve University and warned people to stay away from the campus.
Cleveland State University also warned people to take shelter as police hunt for Stephens.
There are unconfirmed reports on Facebook of shots being fired elsewhere in the city.
On Twitter, one user wrote: "My sister just called to tell me that police are at my grandma's house because someone just shot at her and my cousins."
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The video, which was posted at about 2pm eastern time and was later taken down, is captioned "Easter day slaughter".
In other videos, Stephens tells someone over the phone that "I'm at the point where I snapped" and says he's killed 13 people.
"And I'm about to keep killing until they catch me," he adds.
In comments below he says he has killed 15 people in the area of 105 freeway in the US city, and also claims to have left bodies in an abandoned house.
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Cops said Stephens is 6ft 1inch tall and has a bald head and a full beard.
He was wearing a dark-striped polo shirt at the time of the shooting and the Facebook Live broadcasts, was driving a new white Ford Fusion SUV and is considered "armed and dangerous".
Local hospitals have reportedly been put on standby "to receive more victims".
After the shooting, the man's shadow is shown heading back to the car, with a glimpse of his stripy T-shirt and some kind of ID card hanging around his neck.
He then climbs back into his car to continue driving - mumbling something inaudible before the video ends.
Cleveland Police said in a statement they "are investigating a homicide at 635 East 93rd Street".
It was initially reported that the killing was streamed on Facebook Live.
But Facebook has since confirmed that Stephens shared the video online, but did not stream it.
Facebook also condemned the post, saying: "This is a horrific crime and we do not allow this kind of content on Facebook.
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