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Cleveland Police in the US have launched a manhunt for an 'armed and dangerous gunman who shot an elderly man dead on Facebook Live'.

Distressing video being circulated on social media tonight claims to show the unknown man walking up to someone he apparently doesn't know - and shooting him dead.

The man also claims in a second video tonight that he has killed 13 people - "and is working on the 14th as I speak".

The first video was shared shortly after 9pm (UK time, around 4pm local time) this evening - with the warning: "Please Be Care This Man Is Going Around Cleveland Killin Ppl on Facebook."

Police have named the man they are looking for as Steve Stephens - and have issued photos in a bid to urgently trace him - as concerns mount that 'he may have shot more than one victim'.

A man by the name of Stevie Steve posted on Facebook earlier: "Easter Day slaughter because of XXX XXX" .

He names a woman he is believed to have known but we are not identifying.

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(Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter)

He also posted tagging people telling them "tell XXX I won't be coming in tomorrow" - and "I'm sorry team but I'm to far gone (sic)".

He also claims to have killed 12 people today - saying: "I won't stop (until) my mother and XXX XXXX call me."

In the second video he said he was "killing m*********" - claiming he had shot 13 so far and was "working on the 14th".

Appearing while driving a car and apparently chatting to another person on his phone he admits to the "Easter Day slaughter" in the name of the woman.

He can be heard explaining that he just “snapped” and has a “lot of built in anger and frustration".

He continues: "I snapped, dog, I just snapped.

“I just killed 13 ************* man. That’s what I did, I killed 13 people and I’m about to keep killing until they catch me. F*** it.”

Police confirmed the suspect broadcast the killing on Facebook Live - and "has claimed to have committed multiple other homicides which are yet to be verified".

Local hospitals have reportedly been put on standby 'to receive more victims'.

The video footage - believed to have been shot in Ohio - begins with a man holding a mobile phone, while recording, emerging from behind the wheel of his white car which has parked on the side of the road.

He appears to be on his own - and can be heard swearing as he gets out of the car as he says: "I found me somebody I can kill. I'm going to kill this guy right here."

and approaches an elderly man walking along the sidewalk saying: "Hi!"

The man continues: "Can you do me a favour? Can you say *** ****?"

(Image: Twitter)

He appears to be trying to get the elderly man - dressed in a blue shirt, glasses and a baseball cap and carrying plastic carrier bags - to repeat the name of a woman.

The elderly man repeats the name as requested by the man who continues: "She's the reason why this is about to happen to you."

He then asks the elderly man: "How old are you?"

(Image: Twitter)

The elderly man at this point appears to see that something is wrong - possibly he can see the assailant pulling out a gun - as he raises his arm carrying the shopping protesting.

As he protests "I don't know anybody by that name" the man holds up the gun in front of the camera and shoots the elderly man who falls down to the ground.

(Image: Twitter)

The elderly man can then be seen lying motionless on the floor in a pool of blood.

The gunman can be heard off camera saying: "That m*********** dead because of you ***" - again referring to the woman's name.

After the shooting the man's silhouette is visible on the floor and he can be seen to be wearing stripy T-shirt and some kind of ID card hanging around his neck.

He then climbs back into his car to continue driving - mumbling something inaudible before the video ends.

Cleveland Police said in a statement they "are investigating a homicide at 635 East 93rd Street".

(Image: Cleveland Police)

Police confirmed the suspect broadcast the killing on Facebook Live - and "has claimed to have committed multiple other homicides which are yet to be verified".

The statement continued: "East 102 Street - East 108 Street in Cleveland is on lockdown.

"Cleveland Clinic is on stand by for mass casualties."

They said the suspect is Steve Stephens, described as:

Black

6'1" 244 lbs

Bald with a full beard

Wearing a dark blue and grey or black striped polo shirt

Driving a white or cream colored SUV.

The police said: "He is considered armed and dangerous. If seen call 9-1-1, do not approach the suspect.

"Police and EMS are swarming the Cleveland State area, take precautions and do not approach Stephens."