Killing of Robert Godwin

Killing of Robert Godwin Sr.
LocationCleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DateApril 16, 2017
2:01 p.m. (killing of Godwin)
April 18, 2017 (suicide of Stephens) (EDT)
Attack type
Murder-suicide, senicide, shooting
Weapon.45 caliber Glock 30S semi-automatic pistol
Deaths2 (Godwin and the perpetrator)
VictimRobert Lee Godwin Sr.
PerpetratorSteve William Stephens
MotiveResentment towards ex-girlfriend
ChargesAggravated murder (perpetrator died before being apprehended)

On April 16, 2017, 74-year-old Robert Lee Godwin Sr. was shot and killed while walking in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, United States. The perpetrator, 37-year-old Steve William Stephens, posted a cellphone video of the shooting on his Facebook account, leading many media outlets, both during the manhunt and afterward, to dub Stephens the "Facebook killer". An arrest warrant was issued for Stephens for aggravated murder. Two days later, he died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound when cornered by police in Erie County, Pennsylvania.