A huge manhunt is under way for an Ohio Facebook killer who police said shot and killed an elderly passer-by and posted the murder on Facebook.
Police has urged the Ohio Facebook killer to turn himself in, but he remained on the loose into the night, according to a Daily Mail report.
Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Steve Stephens, and Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said officers were searching for him in the Cleveland area and beyond.
The victim was identified as 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sr.
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
Facebook said the suspect did go live on the social media site at one point during the day, but not during the killing.
Police had earlier said on Sunday that Stephens had broadcast it on Facebook Live.
In the video, Stephens gets out of his car and appears to randomly target Mr Godwin, who was holding a shopping bag. Stephens says the name of a woman, whom Mr Godwin does not seem to recognize.
“She’s the reason that this is about to happen to you,” Stephens told Mr Godwin before pointing a gun at him.
Godwin can be seen shielding his face with the shopping bag.
Media update on shooting suspect Steve Stephens https://t.co/FTTPJW3X44
— Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) April 16, 2017
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson publicly urged Stephens to turn himself in to police and not to “do any more harm to anybody”.
“Any problems he is having, we can have a conversation,” Mr Jackson said.
In a separate video, Stephens claimed to have killed more than a dozen other people.
Mr Williams said police have not verified any other shootings or deaths.
The chief also said they have been talking to the family and friends of Stephens, who is employed at Beech Brook, a behavioural health agency with headquarters in Pepper Pike, near Cleveland.
The video of the killing was up on Facebook for about three hours before it was removed. Stephens’ Facebook page has also been removed.
