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McDonald's Employees Who Held Up Steve Stephens Could Receive Reward

McDonald's Employees Who Held Up Steve Stephens Could Receive Reward

They told him his fries weren't ready.

Mel Ramsay

Mel Ramsay

Some McDonald's employees who reportedly stalled 'Facebook murderer' Steve Stephens could receive a $50,000 (£38,935) reward.

The group apparently told Stephens that his fries weren't ready when he came through the drive-thru in order to hold him up him while they called police.

TMZ reports that Stephens, who streamed himself killing a 74-year-old man and talked about killing 15 others on Facebook, went to the restaurant on Buffalo Road in Erie, PA, when he was recognised.

Stephens ordered 20 chicken nuggets and fries, before driving off without the chips, according to the store's manager.

The New York Post reports that Stephens was found in a Ford Fusion with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, in Pennsylvania, after a 'brief pursuit' by police.

This quick-thinking action by the McDonald's employees has been described as the 'lynchpin' which helped police to corner Stephens.

Although he wasn't arrested, TMZ reports that there have been similar cases in the past where police agree that reward conditions were met.

Before he was found, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said: "There is an award up to $50,000 for the arrest of Mr. Steve Stephens. The money comes from the FBI, ATF and U.S. Marshal Service."

The 37-year-old went on the run after his Facebook broadcast, in which he killed Robert Godwin Sr on Easter Sunday. The manhunt reportedly covered up to five states.

Credit: Fox News

Authorities said Stephens could have been in Ohio, or on the run in Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana or Michigan.

He had fled to Pennsylvania, where he was found.

Police believe the original shooting was a 'random attack' as the killer and his victim were not known to each other.

"From what we can tell now, it's just a random person that he picked out. We don't know why," Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said.


Credit: Facebook

In a later film, Stephens claimed he had killed 15 more people, which police were unable to confirm. In a press conference police said they had checked several locations but had found no other victims.

Stephens, who called himself Stevie Steve on Facebook, posted during the broadcast to say that he wouldn't stop killing until his mum and Joy Lane, who is believed to be his ex-girlfriend, called him. Local media reported that he and his girlfriend have recently split up after three years together.

His mum Maggie Green spoke to CNN and told them Stephens was 'mad with his girlfriend' when she spoke to him on Sunday. She said: "That's why he is shooting people and he won't stop until his mother or girlfriend tell him to stop."

She also told her son that it would be a 'miracle' if the two ever saw each other again.

Lane took to Facebook to let people know that she was safe. In a post, she wrote: "I am safe and with the police. I am Not okay... this is a lot.

"I can't believe this is happening. I am very sad for everyone involved. I am praying for them and I am praying for Steve. He needs help."

She also sent a message to CBS News to tell them she was 'sorry that all of this has happened'.

Featured Image Credit: PA Images