Funeral held for Facebook killer's victim

The family of 74-year-old Robert Godwin, whose shooting death in the US was posted on Facebook, say they forgive his killer.

This Sunday, April 16, 2017 frame from video posted on Facebook shows Robert Godwin Sr. in Cleveland moments before being fatally shot. Source: Facebook

Funeral services have been held for a Cleveland retiree whose shooting death in the US was posted on Facebook.

Family members on Saturday recalled Robert Godwin Sr as a loving, gentle person who taught the importance of forgiveness.

The 74-year-old Godwin was shot on Easter Sunday along a Cleveland street.

Gunman Steve Stephens led police on a car chase in Erie, Pennsylvania, before fatally shooting himself Tuesday.

Tonya Godwin-Baines, one of Godwin's 10 children, said the family forgives Stephens.

Stephens was a 37-year-old job counsellor who worked with young people.

Police would not speculate on what triggered the killing, but in the Facebook video and other footage he posted, Stephens talked about having trouble with his girlfriend and losing everything he had to gambling.