Essentially: No new victims have been identified in connection with Stephens. He remains missing — and could be literally anywhere, according to law enforcement.
Police confirmed that they spoke directly with Stephens shortly after the shooting yesterday, but, beyond that, there has been no contact with him. Chief Calvin Williams said that police searched dozens of locations in Cleveland last night and conducted operations “unceasingly” since the shooting.
Any credible leads in Ohio or elsewhere are welcome at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Shortly after midnight, we reported on the status of the manhunt. An aggravated murder warrant had been issued for his arrest, and multiple nearby states were “on alert.” Furthermore, Facebook was reporting that Stephens had actually uploaded the video, rather than using Facebook Live.
Since an early evening press conference yesterday, no additional information was provided by the police department until this morning.
Nevertheless, Facebook and Twitter were abuzz with dubious police scanner information and flat-out rumors. People all over the city had “heard” that Stephens was in various locations, and many had “heard” that he had killed more people. According to police, of course, none of that was true. “Misinformation in emergencies is dangerous,” the department wrote last night, though no official information was provided.
Elsewhere, people across the county memorialized the victim in yesterday’s shooting, Robert Godwin Sr., 74. “He was very good hearted,” his son said shortly after the murder. “He would give you the shirt off of his back.” Godwin was the father to nine children.
In the wake of the shooting, dozens of GoFundMe pages popped up to offer financial assistance to the family. The pages have recorded thousands of dollars in donations, but the Godwin family says they have not created a GoFundMe page.
Update: During a 3:15 p.m. press conference, Mayor Frank Jackson said that federal law enforcement was offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information about Stephens’ whereabouts.
This article appears in Apr 12-18, 2017.
Dozens of scammers crawling out from under their rocks in less than 24 hours?
That is almost as disgusting as the murder itself.
Cleveland is once again making national headlines for all the wrong reasons.
We live in a very sick and desperate place
Chuckles the Clown.
for once i agree with you completely, chuckles.
First, prayers to the Godwin family. A major concern is this, why did the city leaders wait almost 4-hours after the killing to notify the public? Once the CPD verified that the video and/or incident occurred, the public notification should of been made that their was an active dangerous shooter was on the streets. All information pertaining to his description, vehicle, etc. should of made public. Let’s do some simple geographical math, shooting takes place at 2pm, within 2 hours this sicko could of been in Columbus, Pittsburg, 40 minutes away from Detroit, etc.
Four hours lapsed. Their were no descriptions on electronic bill boards, nothing. The silly city leadership, inclusive of the CPD wasted 4-hours letting this dangerous mental midget put distance between himself and the city where he committed the crime. In essence, this piss poor decision put the greater Cleveland public and others outside of the metropolitan area at risk.
Where was the sense or urgency and responsibility to protect the public? I hope there is not a next time, but if there is, yo Frank, put the same expedited rush effort forward that you had to getting a dirt bike track and windows in the Q.
Thanks for not thinking of us and keeping us safe.