Following the insanity that many have experienced with the Facebook live shooting that the world witnessed, very few would consider forgiving the perpetrator of such acts. It turns out that the family of the Ohio man whose killing was posted on Facebook on Sunday spoke of forgiving the alleged shooter.
This comes amidst the multi-state manhunt that has been launched and intensified. The shooter is known as Steve Stephens aged 37 years. He stands charged with Sunday’s aggravated murder of 74-year-old Robert Godwin, a former manufacturing worker, self-taught mechanic, father of 10 and grandfather of 14.
A statement by the Cleveland police indicates that after shooting Godwin, Stephens posted video of the killing on Facebook. However, Tonya Godwin-Baines said Monday, who is Godwin’s daughter made a statement on Monday saying that each of her family members has forgiven the killer, adding that they all want to wrap their arms around him.
Another child also made a statement saying that they had forgiven the shooter, adding that they were not pleased with his actions but they forgive him. Godwin’s children made a statement saying that their father taught them value of hard work and how to love God and fear him, and how to forgive.
Debbie Godwin, who is Godwin’s daughter said that the society does not make men like him anymore. A statement by Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams has said Stephens apparently chose Godwin at random. Williams told reporters that law enforcement nationwide was on high alert in the hunt for Stephens.
Williams said that the law enforcement is engaging in what he called a national search for Steve, adding that no stone is going to be left unturned.
Stephen’s mother made a statement revealing that when she last saw Stephens on Saturday, he said it would be a miracle if she ever saw him again. They spoke the next day, she said, and he told her he was shooting people because he was angry with his girlfriend.
Williams appeared alongside a US marshal and an FBI agent when he said that investigators have searched dozens of locations, to no avail and that one of his detectives had spoken to Stephens via cellphone after the killing. He did not elaborate on the call, other than to say the detective attempted to persuade the suspect to surrender.
The Chief made a statement saying that the authorities are asking Steve to turn himself in, but if he doesn’t, they’ll find him, adding that they’re not going to stop until they find him.
The Chief also warned any of Stephens’ friends or family members who might assist him while he’s on the run, adding that they’re going to get themselves in trouble.
SOURCE: http://www.wmal.com/2017/04/18/family-of-facebook-murder-victim-says-it-forgives-accused-killer/
