Steve Stephens, 37, went on the run after uploading a Facebook video of the moment he shot dead Robert Godwin Sr, 74
THE gunman who filmed himself shooting a 74-year-old man dead in cold blood was a “slimy” local loser who used a pet python to try and lure women, neighbours say.
Cops are offering a £40,000 reward for Facebook killer Steve Stephens as they admit they have no clue where the gunman is.
A “nationwide” hunt is underway for Stevens, who went on the run after uploading a Facebook video of the moment he shot dead Robert Godwin Sr, 74, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Next-door-neighbour Alexis Lee told the MailOnline that Stephens had a bizarre “party trick” as a teenager.
He bought a python and would approach women with the slithering pet around his neck to try and win their affections.
She said: “There was nothing attractive about him. He did have a nice personality though.
“He would tell the kids ‘Stay out of trouble, go to school and don’t be knuckle heads’.
“But he always seemed a bit lost and I’m not surprised that he’s upset about his girlfriend and blaming her for what he’s done.”
The 34-year-old mum painted Stephens as a desperate figure at the gambling tables.
She said: “I saw him at the casino a couple of times and he would remind me that he always had a crush on me.
Cleveland Police confirmed the fatal shooting broadcast on Facebook was real, but said there were no other victims linked to the “random” attack.
Stephens is not believed to have a criminal record, but cops said he had a number of traffic violations.
The children’s mental health worker is believed to have “snapped” after the break-down of his three-year relationship with his girlfriend, Joy Lane.
In the graphic video of the attack, Stephens can be seen approaching Mr Godwin in the street, saying: “Found me somebody I’m about to kill… this old dude.”
He then asked the elderly grandad to say his ex-girlfriend’s name to the camera, before adding: “She’s the reason this is about to happen to you.”
Stephens filmed himself pointing and shooting his gun at the man who fell to the ground, with blood pouring from his face down onto the pavement.
In a series of Facebook posts, Stephens claimed he had killed a total of 15 people in what he called an “Easter day slaughter”.
He told someone over the phone that he “just snapped” and had a lot of “built-up anger and frustration”.
Stephens then goaded police, saying “I’ll keep killing until they catch me” before adding: “I shamed myself”.
He left chilling Facebook rants blaming debt and the break up of his relationship as a trigger for the murder.