'Cleveland Facebook Killer' Dead In Pennsylvania: Police

CLEVELAND, OH — The search for Steve Stephens, who allegedly shot and killed a 74-year-old man and then posted a video of the attack to Facebook, ended Tuesday when he apparently killed himself. Pennsylvania State Police announced on Twitter that Stephens shot and killed himself in Erie County after briefly being chased by troopers.

Stephens was accused in the attack of Robert Godwin Sr. on Easter Sunday. Police say Stephens shot the man dead and then proceeded to upload a video of the killing to Facebook. Stephens claimed to have committed multiple other homicides, but there has been no sign of additional crimes or victims.

(To stay up to date on this story, subscribe to the Patch Cleveland newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

Pennsylvania State Police received a tip that a vehicle matching the description of Stephens' white Ford Fusion was spotted at an Erie, Pennsylvania, McDonald's. State troopers located Stephens' car a little after 11 a.m. on Tuesday and tried to initiate a traffic stop. A short pursuit ensued, and troopers were able to stop Stephens' vehicle. As officers approached the car, Stephens apparently shot and killed himself, Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference. Stephens died on the scene.

The tip that brought Pennsylvania State Police to the scene was called in by a drive-thru attendant at the McDonald's, GoErie.com reports. The owner of the McDonald's said the attendant came to him and said she thought she recognized Stephens before calling the police.

"This started with one tragedy and ended with another person taking their own life," Williams said at the press conference. "A loss of life is a loss of life. We’d have liked to have brought Steve in peacefully and really understand why he did what he did."

Williams said that law enforcement had received more than 400 tips related to the investigation. Most, he said, were sightings of either Stephens or his vehicle; some were locations of possible victims.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson again expressed his condolences to the Godwin family on behalf of the city and the community during the Tuesday afternoon press conference. He noted the family's resilience and courage in the face of a public tragedy.

Photo from Cleveland Police