Violence is one thing. The cold-blooded, often-sociopathic nature of it is quite another.

So it was when Steve Stephens reportedly lost a relationship with a woman, then sought out a victim at random. He found a 74-year-old retired foundry worker, Robert Godwin Sr., who he shot to death on a Cleveland, Ohio street.

There’s more. Stephens decided to record this senseless act and he posted it on Facebook.

He then fled to Erie, Pa., where he sought to order a fast-food hamburger. An alert McDonald’s employee recognized the customer as the killer and called 9-1-1. A police chase ensued. Stephens then killed himself with a gunshot to the head.

One question that has come up is whether Facebook bears any “responsibility” for this dastardly deed. The way I see it, the answer is “no.”

For the life of me I don’t know how Facebook could be expected to prevent the posting of something as hideous as what Stephens did.

The case, though, ended the moment Stephens put a bullet in his skull. No loss there.

For the family of Mr. Godwin, their misery is just beginning. Our hearts break for this innocent victim and his loved ones.

Then we are left to wonder about how human beings can do such things.