The nationwide manhunt for Steve Stephens has ended. The 37-year-old Facebook Live shooter killed himself during a pursuit in Erie, PA after a brief pursuit, police say. Stephens was “found dead of self-inflicted gunshot wound in white Ford Fusion on Buffalo Road, Erie police confirmed. State police had been following the car as it was headed west into the city of Erie,” reported GoErie.com.
Cleveland shooter Steve Stephens found in Erie on Buffalo Rd by Rodger Young Park. Dead in vehicle of self inflicted gun shot wound. pic.twitter.com/KRR3ROBtTI
— Dennis Weed (@DennisWeed) April 18, 2017
Pennsylvania police confirm Stephens’ death.
Steve Stephens was spotted this morning by PSP members in Erie County. After a brief pursuit, Stephens shot and killed himself.
— PA State Police (@PAStatePolice) April 18, 2017
Chief Williams: PA State Police received a tip about the whereabouts of Steve Stephens, short pursuit occurred and ended in his death.
— Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) April 18, 2017
Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said that Stephens took his own life as Pennsylvania state police officers approached his vehicle.
Cleveland police chief: Facebook murder suspect Steve Stephens took his own life as Pennsylvania state police officers approached vehicle. pic.twitter.com/Nh97SGIs6W
— ABC News (@ABC) April 18, 2017
UPDATE on Steve Stephens case https://t.co/Yoc9KA8UF5
— Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) April 18, 2017
Pennsylvania State police Cpl. Adam Reed told NBC News that a citizen gave authorities a tip that Stephens was near a McDonald’s early Tuesday.
“He was spotted because of the car and the license plate matched up with one distributed in media reports,” said Reed.
After a brief, 2-mile traffic pursuit, Stephens pulled out a handgun and killed himself, Reed said.
The murderer shot dead 74-year-old Robert Godwin on Facebook Live in Cleveland around 3 p.m. on Easter Sunday. The assassination seemed to be random and Godwin’s family said the 74-year-old man had no connection to Stephens or the woman the killer mentioned several times during his videos.
Stephens claimed responsibility for 13 murders, but police have no evidence that he killed anyone besides Godwin.