Chris Kyle, American Sniper Author and Former Navy Seal Sniper Killed at Range

Chris Kyle, a former Navy SEAL renown for holding a record number of sniper killings in Iraq and author of the bestselling book, American Sniper, was killed on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at a Texas shooting range at Rough Creek Lodge and Resort in Glen Rose, Texas, southwest of Fort Worth. War veteran Chad Littlefield was also killed. The two men were found to have been shot, though no witnesses were present to identify the killer, as the shooting range was in a remote location. Approximately four hours after police found the bodies, police arrested Eddie Ray Routh, 25, on a capital murder warrant after tracking the man over 90 miles to his home, where the suspect fled one final time for approximately six miles, before his tires were spiked by authorities. Routh then surrendered with no resistance. Routh was a corporal in the U.S. Marines from June 2006 to January 2010. Although unconfirmed, evidence in the investigation is currently indicating that it is likely that Routh actually arrived at the gun range with Littlefield and Kyle. Kyle is known for his work helping soldiers suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), helping establish Fitco Cares, an organization assisting such soldiers. It is possible that Routh was meeting with Kyle and Littlefield for assistance with PTSD, though it is unconfirmed whether or not this is true, or if Routh was even suffering from the disorder. Furthermore, Trevor Cox, the director of Fitco Cares, has stated that Routh was not operating through the organization. Apart from this information, nothing is known about Routh’s possible motives. As of this writing, Routh is being held on a 3 million dollar bail.