Steve Stephens
Steve Stephens, who Cleveland Division of Police said was being sought in connection with the killing of an individual, is seen in an undated handout photo released April 16, 2017. Reuters/Cleveland Police

Social media users reacted to the Facebook Live video of a shooting incident in Ohio, requesting people not to share the footage showing the killing of an elderly man. On Sunday, police said a man in Cleveland, identified as Steve Stephens, killed Robert Godwin Sr. and broadcast it on Facebook Live.

“This is a horrific crime and we do not allow this kind of content on Facebook. We work hard to keep a safe environment on Facebook, and are in touch with law enforcement in emergencies when there are direct threats to physical safety,” the social networking site told reporters.

Cleveland police have launched a massive manhunt for Stephens, who authorities described as a black male with a full beard, 6-feet, 1-inch tall weighing about 244 pounds. Stephens was last seen wearing a dark blue and gray or black striped polo shirt and was spotted driving a white Ford Fusion with an Ohio temporary nameplate E363630.

Apart from the live video of the fatal shooting, Stephens uploaded two other clips claiming to have committed more than 12 homicides. He also reportedly said in the video that he was going to “kill as many people as I can.” Facebook shut down Stephens' account after the incident came to light.

Read: Who Is Steve Stephens?

While Facebook’s policy prohibits content that glorifies or incites violence, the real-time feature of sharing videos and photos makes it difficult to enforce it. The social networking site's Facebook Live feature has been misused by several users as they have broadcast heinous crimes.

Police told residents of states of Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana and Michigan to be on alert as the suspect could be in any of the states.

"We ask that the public remain aware and report any suspicious activity to police immediately. Officers and agents continue to investigate leads as they come in," police said in a statement, adding that the other killings claimed by the suspect in the videos are yet to be verified.

Here are some social media reactions to the Facebook Live killing:

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