Robert Godwin, Sr who was he?
Robert Godwin Jr., the son of a Cleveland man whose fatal shooting was livestreamed on Facebook on Sunday afternoon, said he can’t bring himself to watch the gruesome video that continues to be circulated on social media.
But Godwin, 48, was intimately familiar with the details during an interview Sunday night, because of what law enforcement, witnesses and family members who had the stomach to watch the video have recounted to him. Even with all the information he received, he still cannot watch the video itself.
“I haven’t watched the video. I haven’t even looked at my cellphone or the news,” Godwin said. “I don’t really want to see it.”
Robert Godwin Jr. said his father, a retired foundry worker, left behind nine children, 14 grandchildren and a lot of great grandchildren. He described his father as a “good guy” who was quiet and always respectful.
He said his father went fishing on Saturday, another hobby he indulged in during his retirement. He said Godwin Sr. collected aluminum cans and often walked with a shopping bag to pick up ones he saw on the ground.
Godwin Jr. said his father was looking for cans during a walk on Sunday, Sav-A-Lot bag in tow, when he was approached by Stephens.
He said he last saw his father Sunday morning when his father came by his house to pick up a piece of basketball equipment for one of his other sons.
“He hugged my wife and me and said ‘I’ll see you guys next time,'” Godwin Jr. recounted. “I said ‘OK, enjoy your Easter.'”
He later got the call about what happened and went to the scene. By the time he arrived, his father’s body had already been taken away by an ambulance.
“I just want him caught … because he can do it to somebody else,” Robert Godwin Jr. said.
1. His Murder was Broadcast in a Horrifying Facebook Live Video
God bless this man & his family. This breaks my heart beyond words. Mr. Robert Godwin Sr. was killed in Cleveland, Rest in peace.
Stephens murdered Godwin around 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon (Cleveland time), and posted the video to Facebook, where it remained for about three hours before Facebook took down the video and Stephens’ entire page.
In the video, Stephens can be heard asking “Can you do me a favor? Can you say [his girlfriend’s name]?”
Godwin, obviously confused by this non sequitur from a stranger, repeated the name in a questioning tone of voice. “Yeah,” Stephens said. “She’s the reason this is about to happen to you. How old are you?”
A clearly perplexed Godwin started to walk away, while exclaiming “I don’t know nobody by that name!” Those were the last words he ever spoke.
2. He was a Beloved Father and Grandfather
I just spoke with a man and woman who said the man killed in the FB live video was their 78 year old father @cleveland19news
Shortly after the manhunt for Stephens made the national news, but before Godwin’s name had been released to the public, Cleveland19 News reported Sharice Dunning posted a video interview with a man and a woman who said the still-unnamed murder victim was their father.
“He’d give you the shirt off his back,” said the heartbroken man in the video. “I’m not just saying that for these cameras … this man right here was a good man. And I just hate that he’s gone.” A reporter for WKYC Channel 3 news later said that, according to his family, Godwin had spent the morning fishing.
Please please please stop retweeting that video and report anyone who has posted it! That is my grandfather show some respect #Cleveland
Also on Twitter, a man named Ryan Godwin identified himself as Robert’s grandson and pleaded with people to stop retweeting the Facebook Live video. “Please please please stop retweeting that video and report anyone who has posted it! That is my grandfather show some respect #Cleveland”
A GoFundMe account to help Godwin’s family has been set up here.
3. Police Confirmed There was no Connection Between Godwin and his Murderer
Police correct victim’s name to Robert Godwin, Sr. (not Goodwin). His family says he spent morning fishing. Hear from them on @WKYC at 11.
In a Sunday press conference shortly after the manhunt began. Cleveland police chief Calvin Williams said there was no apparent connection between Godwin and his killer; Stephens chose his victim at random for a “senseless” killing.
“There was no need for this gentleman to lose his life,” Williams said. “If [Stephens] needs some help, which obviously he does, he needs to call someone, he needs to turn himself in so he can get the help he needs. He can’t keep victimizing this community based on his issues.
Williams also called for Stephens to turn himself in. “I know, Steve, that you have a relationship with some of our clergy in Northeast Ohio. I encourage you to give them a call and then call us and turn yourself in.”
4. His Murderer Claims to Have Killed 15 Other People
Steve Stephens. (Cleveland Police)
In a post on his now-deleted Facebook page, Steve Stephens claimed that in addition to the still-unnamed Godwin, he had killed 12 other people that day in what he called an “Easter day slaughter.” Shortly thereafter, Stephens made another Facebook post claiming to have killed three additional people.
However, Cleveland police said Godwin’s homicide was the only one they could confirm; no other murders have been connected to Stephens. Police chief Calvin Williams said, “So far there are no more victims that we know that are tied to Steve and this incident. But we are still encouraging people that if you have information on Steve’s whereabouts or any other victims that may be out there, to definitely give us a call. Just call 911.”
A YouTube channel apparently belonging to Stephens was last updated in August 2016. None of those videos indicated any propensity for violence on Stephens’ part; all of them dealt with either Cleveland’s basketball team, or Stephens’ fondness for fishing and bowling.
5. Police and the FBI are Still Searching for Godwin’s Killer
Please RT. This is an actual photo of SteveStephens car. He is wanted for a fatal shooting in Cleveland.… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/853762376209977345 …
Cleveland.com reported Sunday evening that Stephens’ girlfriend, the woman whose name Stephens asked Godwin to say, is fully cooperating with the police manhunt for the killer. Police took her into protective custody earlier that afternoon.
The FBI’s Cleveland field office, as well as the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, have also joined in the search. Reporters on the ground noted a heavier-than-usual police presence, with police helicopters hovering over the area.
Driving around the city I’m seeing heavy police presence everywhere. Also saw helicopter over East 105 @cleveland19news
Police say Stephens is believed to be driving a white Ford Fusion with Ohio temporary tags numbered E363630 (though he may have switched license plates), and wearing a dark blue polo shirt with gray or black stripes. Stephens is described as being six-foot-one, 244 pounds, with a bald head and full beard. He is considered armed and dangerous; anyone who sees him should not attempt to apprehend him, but call police at once.