In one of the videos he posted on Facebook, Steve Stephens claims to be a case manager at Beech Brook, which describes itself as a "leading behavioral health agency," serving children and families.
Cleveland Police say Stephens shot and killed 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sr. Sunday on East 93rd Street. The shooting happened on Easter Sunday around 2 p.m.
Stephens was wearing his Beech Brook ID badge in the Facebook video. The organization closed the office Monday for the protection of their employees, with only essential employees are reporting to work.
RELATED: Behavioral health agency where Steve Stephens was employed says they are 'shocked'
Beech Brook released a statement following the shooting.
"We were shocked and horrified yesterday to learn about the situation involving the threats by Steve Stephens and the tragic shooting of Mr. Godwin. Our hearts go out to his family during this time of grief.
Beech Brook’s offices will be closed today out of concerns for the safety of our staff, clients and other visitors to our sites. This includes the administrative headquarters at 3737 Lander Road in Pepper Pike and our Family Drop-In Center, located on the second floor of the Carl B. Stokes Social Services Building at 6001 Woodland Ave. A decision will be made later today about the re-opening of the buildings.
Mr. Stephens has been a Beech Brook employee since 2008. He has been working as a vocational specialist for our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team for youth and young adults since April of 2015. Prior to that, he had worked as a youth mentor."
About Steve Stephens
- A self-proclaimed "monster," Stephens has no criminal record
- His Facebook profile shows his involvement with a number of churches, community organizations and a fraternity
- He had a concealed carry permit
- He filed for bankruptcy in 2015
Stephens called the shooting of Godwin "the Easter Sunday massacre" and hinted that there were at least 12 other victims. Police say they have been unable to confirm that Stephens killed anyone else.
UPDATE: The video of the shooting was not broadcast live, as police initially reported. It was recorded and then uploaded to Facebook by Stephens, according to a Facebook spokesperson. In a statement, the spokesperson said the shooting was a "horrific crime."
Police said Sunday night Stephens may have now left the state and they are warning residents of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan and New York to be on alert. ABC News and CNN are both reporting that Stephens' cell phone pinged off of a tower in the Erie, PA area.
