Former Navy SEAL & 'American Sniper' Author Chris Kyle Reportedly Killed at TX Lodge

AP

Former Navy SEAL and bestselling author of the book "American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History" Chris Kyle was killed at the Rough Creek Lodge in Texas Saturday, NBC DFW reports.

WFAA adds:

Two people were killed Saturday at a gun range in Erath County. Three sources tell News 8 that one of the victims was Chris Kyle, a former Navy SEAL and author of the New York Times bestselling book, "American Sniper."

Kyle was shot point-blank while helping another soldier who is recovering from post traumatic stress syndrome, News 8 learned.

An alert was issued for the suspect, who was reportedly captured in Lancaster, south of Dallas. The suspect was believed to be highly trained with military experience.  [Emphasis added]

Reports indicate the suspect actually took off in Kyle's car and, according to KHOU, officials say the second victim may have been the suspect's neighbor.

Lancaster police later confirmed that the suspect Eddie Ray Routh was arrested Saturday night and is expected to be charged with murder.  A spokesman for Lancaster police said officers flagged Routh and took him into custody at Interstate 35 and Camp Wisdom Road after a brief chase.

WFAA-TV released the following photo of Routh late Saturday night, but did not specify when the photo was taken:

Eddie Routh, 25. (WFAA-TV)

Routh reportedly attempted to flee when approached by officers and crashed into a squad car.

(Denton Record-Chronicle/Megan Gray)

Desoto had to assist because of wreck damage being severe. (Denton Record-Chronicle/Megan Gray)

Blaze Front Page Editor Jon Seidl spent time on the same ranch where the shooting occurred earlier this fall and describes it as a sprawling, secluded area "in the middle of nowhere."  He recalls there being several shooting stations.  It is also the host site in December for the annual Spartan adventure race.

The website's description reads:

No matter what your individual style, Rough Creek Lodge and Resort is a “have-it-all” place for our “want-it-all” guests.

Rough Creek Lodge , Resort and Dallas Conference Center is nestled on 11,000 acres in the foothills of the picturesque Texas Hill Country. Located 90 minutes southwest of Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, our exquisite grounds boast 57 stylish guestrooms and suites, 4 exclusive cabins, and 2 opulent guest houses. Our Dallas lodging is finely decorated with sophisticated fabric, furniture and artwork to create a feel of rustic elegance for our guests.

(Photo: Rough Creek Lodge and Resort)

Kyle was well-known both in his field and by the media, earning the nickname of "the devil of Ramadi" by insurgents, and "America's deadliest sniper" at home.

You may also remember the time he punched former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura in the face.

Kyle served four tours of duty in Iraq and had 160 kills as a Navy SEAL, NBC DFW reports.  According to the Stephenville Empire-Tribune, he made his longest successful shot after he spotted an insurgent with a rocket launcher 2,100 yards (about 1.2 miles) away, near a U.S. Army convoy.

He is married and the father of two.

Before his death, Kyle weighed in on the gun control debate for SHOT Show 2013.

Jack Murphy at the Special Operations Forces Situation Report (SOFREP) wrote this moving note Saturday night:

I am saddened to have to announce the tragic loss of another one of our own.  This has been a hard year for the Special Operations community, perhaps the SEAL community most of all.

Today Chris Kyle was shot and killed at a shooting range at the Rough Creek Lodge in Texas, murdered along with a second individual.

Chris had been volunteering his time to help Marine Corps veterans suffering from PTSD and mentoring them.  Part of this process involved taking these veterans to the range where one of them snapped and killed Chris and his neighbor for reasons that remain unknown at this time.  The perpetrator then stole Chris’ vehicle in an attempt to escape but we have received word that the police have since arrested him.

You can read the rest of the note at SOFREP.

Former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin added on Facebook:

(Photo: Facebook/Sarah Palin)

This is a breaking news story. Updates will be added.

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Related:

• 10 of the Best Quotes From Slain SEAL Chris Kyle's Book 'American Sniper'
• Flashback: Watch Legendary SEAL Chris Kyle in Action on NBC's Reality Show 'Stars Earn Stripes'
• Why Did the 'Deadliest' SEAL Sniper Punch Jesse Ventura in the Face?