Manhunt Continues For Cleveland Facebook Murder Suspect
CLEVELAND (KDKA/AP) -Police in Philadelphia are looking into multiple reports from people claiming to have seen a man who fatally shot an elderly Cleveland man in a gruesome video posted on Facebook
According to CBS Philadelphia, police have said there is no indication he is in the area. However, eight elementary schools and one high school in Philadelphia's 16th district are on lockdown due to the ongoing search.
A reward of $50,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest of Steve Stephens.
Mayor Jackson: Reward of up to $50,000 from ATF, FBI, Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest of Steve Stephens.
— Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) April 17, 2017
Police and the FBI in Cleveland said Monday that the suspect, 37-year-old Stephens, could still be in the city or in surrounding states.
Earlier Monday, CNN cited a law enforcement source who stated that Stephen's cell phone ping was detected in Erie, Pennsylvania, about 100 miles east of Cleveland. WOIO-TV in Cleveland reported Monday morning that police investigated the ping, and found nothing.
OSHP & CLE Police- no new details on search to find suspect. Cell phone pings investigated overnight in Parma & Erie Co., PA- nothing found. pic.twitter.com/gqlz99SYgt
— Damon Maloney (@Dmaloneytv) April 17, 2017
Chief Calvin Williams says detectives talked with Stephens by cellphone Sunday after he shot 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sr. but haven't had contact since.
Authorities are telling people in Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana and Michigan to be on the lookout. They say Stephens should be considered armed and dangerous.
Cleveland's police chief says officers have searched dozens of places since the shooting Sunday and told residents to go about their business, but be careful.
Police say no more victims have been found, despite the shooter's claim that he killed over a dozen people.
Chief Williams is urging Stephens to turn himself in and not to "do anymore harm to anybody."
Debbie Godwin says her father was shot Sunday afternoon while he was picking up aluminum cans. She says he "wasn't harming anyone" and was a gentle person, with nothing mean about him.
Debbie Godwin says her father was retired and had 10 children. She says he spent the day before the shooting doing one of the things he loved most, fishing in Lake Erie.
Stephens' former girlfriend told CBS News in a text that he was "a nice guy" who was generous to everyone and was "kind and loving" to her and her children.
Joy Lane she had a relationship for several years with Stephens.
In the video, Stephens mentions Lane's name to Godwin Sr. and says she is "the reason that this is about to happen to you" before the random attack.
Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams says Lane is cooperating with authorities and is being protected.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the behavior health facility where Stephens worked says he underwent an extensive FBI background check before being hired in 2008.
Beech Brook spokeswoman Nancy Kortemeyer says Monday there was nothing in the background check for Stephens that caused any concerns.
Kortemeyer says Stephens' job since 2015 as a vocational specialist involved preparing youth and young adults ages 16-25 for employment.
Stephens had referred to himself as a case manager. Kortemeyer says he did have a caseload of clients that he managed.
Authorities say Stephens did not have a criminal record.
Williams said Stephens may be driving a newer model white Ford Fusion with temporary Ohio license plate E363630.
The FBI asking anyone with information to call 1-800-call FBI, or call 911.
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