Steve Stephens, who is suspected of killing an elderly man and streaming it live on Facebook, has been found dead in Erie, Pa., according to Pennsylvania State Police. It appears to have been a suicide.
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
Police made the discovery after a 3-day nationwide manhunt.
At a press conference in Cleveland Tuesday, Cleveland police said Pennsylvania authorities received a tip that Stephens's vehicle was at a McDonald's parking lot near Erie. The vehicle fled and they engaged in a short pursuit. When the police approached the car, Stephens shot himself.
"We are grateful that this has ended," Cleveland Police Chief Calvin D. Williams said, although he added that the force would've preferred if it hadn't ended this way so they and the city could get more answers as to what led to Stephens's rampage.
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Williams also commented on the dangerous power of social media after the suspect posted the murder live on Facebook.
"This is something that should not have been shared around the world," Williams said.
Update (4:00 p.m.): The Pennsylvania State Police provided further details in their press conference Tuesday. Stephens, the police noted, ordered a meal from the McDonald's where he had parked his car, ordering a large McNuggets and fries. One of the restaurant employees recognized Stephens as the Facebook killer and alerted the police.
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