ERIE, Pa.–The nationwide manhunt for Steve Stephens, the suspect who posted a video of a brutal killing on Facebook, is over. Stephens shot himself Tuesday in Erie County, according to Pennsylvania State Police reports.
“Steve Stephens was spotted this morning by PSP members in Erie County,” Pennsylvania State Police tweeted. “After a brief pursuit, Stephens shot and killed himself.”
Stephens had been wanted for shooting Robert Godwin in Cleveland, Ohio and posting the murder on Facebook on Sunday.
State Police issued this account of events:
“Facebook Killer” Steve Stephens was spotted just after 11 a.m. this morning by an alert citizen near the intersection of Buffalo Road and Downing Avenue in Erie County, Pennsylvania, which is less than two miles from PSP Troop E headquarters.
PSP troopers immediately began to canvas the area for Stephens and located him in his vehicle a short time later. Troopers in marked patrol units initiated a pursuit that lasted approximately two miles. The troopers attempted a PIT maneuver to disable Stephens’ vehicle, a white Ford Fusion. As the vehicle was spinning out of control from the PIT maneuver, Stephens pulled a pistol and shot himself in the head.
A patrol trooper involved with the pursuit could not stop in time and slid into Stephens’ vehicle causing minor damage. No injuries to law enforcement or members of the public were reported.
Governor Wolf released the following statement on the Pennsylvania State Police’s pursuit of Steve Stephens:
“I am incredibly grateful to the Pennsylvania State police for their bravery and vigilance in spotting and pursuing ‘Facebook Live Killer’ Steve Stephens in Erie and acting without hesitation to keep others safe. On behalf of all Pennsylvanians and Americans, I thank these state troopers, the entire State Police and all law enforcement involved for their heroism in protecting their fellow citizens.”
