But more importantly, after following up on leads all afternoon and evening, Cleveland police had not yet identified Stephens’ location. Police asked that residents of Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana and Michigan be on alert because the suspect “may be out of state.”
Cleveland.com reported earlier in the hour that Stephens had likely turned off his cell phone, which made him more difficult to track.
Police Chief Calvin Williams, in a press conference early Sunday evening, said of the manhunt, “We need to bring this to a conclusion today.” He urged Stephens to turn himself in. Despite that message, and despite the enormous national attention being paid to the crime, Stephens remains on the loose
The suspect is still considered armed and dangerous. He is 6’1″, 240 lbs, and bald with a full beard (pictured above). He was thought to be driving a white Ford Fusion sedan with temporary license plate number E363630. (Police advised that he may have changed his plates). Cleveland.com reported that police had been searching vacant homes in Glenville for additional bodies, following up on Stephens’ claims in another video, but 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sr., who was shot on E. 93rd St. just south of I-90, remains the only known victim.
The one other bit of news to report is a slight correction to earlier reporting. Though both local and national outlets (and the police themselves) characterized the homicide of Robert Godwin Sr. as having been “streamed on Facebook Live,” the video was in fact pre-recorded.
Facebook confirmed to Scene that though Stephens did go live “at one point during the day,” the murder was not broadcast live. “It was uploaded.”
Facebook provided no information about how much time elapsed between the recording and the posting.
This article appears in Apr 12-18, 2017.
Unless this sadistic murderer concocted a multi-layered plan to live off the grid…..it is only a matter of time that the evil coward resurfaces.
Sunday, 2pm the murder occurred. Tuesday 2-days later, ya think that he hasn’t changed the plates on his car or is driving another vehicle. The Chief US Marshall said it best, “we are going to shrink the world around you.”
The silly city leadership is doing what they do best, zip, zap, zero. Should this guy of been caught within minutes, nope. Would of been great if he was. Just trying to figure out why the city waited 4 damn hours to make an announcement that there is a fool running around the city. The city lost 4-hrs of extra eyes looking or spotting this fool.
Plus, there is no thanks for not keeping the general public safe. Oh, I forgot, you have police stationed around you and your house 24/7 Frank. We the public have to call and hope the CPD responds.
I recall when you made this very blind ignorant comment, ” the city is safe.” Well lets review, hundreds of homicides have occurred along with robberies and other violent crimes since your comment.
Thanks for nothing Frank. Why don’t you do the majority of us a favor. Change your mind, do not run for reelection.