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

Feb. 2, 2013 10:16pm Erica Ritz

American Sniper Author Chris Kyle Killed at Rough Creek Shooting Lodge in Dallas

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]

KXAS-TV has more:

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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Comments (587)

tiredofit2010
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:54am
RIP Chris. My prayers out to the family.

NOTE TO Glenn:

Can we get some sort of charity donations going for the family? I’ll gladly donate!!

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Tigress1
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:54am
All right, where’s Eddie Routh’s Facebook page? That seems to be the media’s number 1 source for “evidence”.
My condolences to Chris Kyle’s family and friends. Very sad.

Who was the other person killed? That might shed a little light on things also.

No conspiracy …yet. However, we have been losing way too many Seals lately. It can’t help but raise suspicion. How many coincidences can there be?

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nonofmybiznez
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:53am
Check six guys.

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rockymtngal
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:53am
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Was the guy who shot him a sniper? Sounds like an intentional kill.

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MescaleroApache
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:49am
My heart is just broken over this entire situation. A wonderful family is without their father and husband. A country has lost one of her great heroes. A marine suffering from PTSD has committed an act that was unspeakable, but to a degree, almost predictable. The VA system has few healing tools to offer besides drugs and psychotherapy that has a nearly non-existent success rate. Chris, although not a therapist, was doing what he thought was right to help this kid. For me, a firing range would be the very LAST place I would take a person (in any place of life) who had been diagnosed with PTSD. But, this horrible tragedy DID happen. It doesn’t matter whether it was a person in the spotlight like Chris, or just your everyday Joe who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, this is the tragic death of one of our own. That being said, I actually “sense” that there is MUCH more to this than meets the eye. God Help Us All!! God bless Chris’ family, the neighbor’s family, Routh, and the family of Routh. My guess is that Routh’s family is suffering just as much as anyone else.

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- Tigress1
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:05pm
  He might have been doing a form of “Immersion Therapy”. This therapy has had success, but giving someone with PTSD an actual gun WITH bullets on a firing range doesn’t sound very smart.
  
  http://www.blinkx.com/v/immersion-therapy-helps-treat-ptsd/BaPNc8A_FPC54ZthnR7txfQ?id=1848729157
  
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kindling
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:48am
Once again the left and media will blame guns for this as if cars should be banned for drunk drivers. No, again this is a mental health issue. I wish Chris had taken them to a paint ball park where the guns in the hands of someone with mental issues was not lethal. We may learn this man snapped. I am sorry for them all, war and the damage it inflicts is horrible.

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Seymour
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:47am
God Bless You Navy Seal Chris Kyle, you saved hundreds if not thousands of American lives.

Eddie Ray Routh? Welcome to H*ll. EOM

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MartyTr
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:43am
ME85, you believe that a big bang happened. Where did that all come from? Christianity is easier to prove than evolution. Darwin was a racist, go reread his book and research why they had to put a new cover on his book. You aren’t as “smart” as you think.

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- MAProg
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 3:52pm
  The empirical evidence points to the big bang. Instead of incredulity, why don’t you read the scientific literature, or direct your questions to a quantum physicist or cosmologist for answers. As to Darwin, you’re comitting an ad hominem, and a contestable one at that. Furthermore, Darwin’s personal views, even if we assume you’re insinuation is correct, has no bearing on his work as a scientist.
  
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mygunsweetness
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:37am
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends.RIP Brother.

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Obamistan
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:35am
The photo on FOX NEWS of Chris speaks volumes about his murder and his views on this TYRANNICAL GOVERNMENT/REGIME IN WASHINGTON!

The US FLAG on his wall is UPSIDE DOWN!

OBAMA IS THE ENEMY!

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- Obamistan
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:37am
  http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/02/03/navy-seal-chris-kyle-fatally-shot-at-texas-shooting-range-report-says/
  
  Report this comment
iluv2bfree
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:32am
Heart breaking news

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LoneStarBR
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:32am
For those wanting to understand what was going on at the range – go to craft international web site and you will see this was a weekend of civilian training. $2995 per person limited to 30 people. Chris did a good job helping vets but he also was President of a company trying to make money. ( good for him!)
This is a sad tragedy for the country , the Seals and especially his for his wife and children. I hope he is honored by all that know what he was and what he will remain – a inspiration to patriots. RIP Chris Kyle.

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LameLiberals
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:24am
His poor wife and two young children. Hopefully his book made some money and he had insurance. I don’t care if the guy who killed him had PTSD or not – I hope he gets the death penalty.

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EgoLacuna
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:23am
I have had many patients with PTSD, it can manifest in people who witnessed violence, or who were the actors, or victims. Keep in mind, virtually all people have a stress reaction that can look like PTSD in the aftermath of a traumatic experience. Actual PTSD is based on the duration of those symptoms. Because of that, it means that a person is existing in a constant aroused state. Their brain and body is flooded with adrenaline, which in turn suppresses other neurotransmitters like seratonin and GABA. Essentially the person exists right on the edge of a flight/fight decision at all times. If that person gets exposed to a triggering event (like gun shots), they are pushed into full flight/fight mode….there is no “thinking” here, just instinct. This event is tragic, but not at all surprising. Facts are the cure for conspiracy. For those people who think there was a plan behind this, it’s time you grow up and accept that bad things can and do happen to good people.

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- MescaleroApache
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:01pm
  You have the perfect description of a person with PTSD. Unfortunately, there is so much anger towards the Routh kid, that few will read your post and have any sympathy. But, they should. The sympathetic part of our nervous system can sure cause a multitude of problems. Accentuating PTSD is only one of them. Routh, like so many other military veterans, are thrown to the wolves due to the lack of adequate and drug free treatments for PTSD. This is NOT a syndrome that should be taken lightly and it is NOT something that is limited only to the military. FYI, PTSD is also VERY common in animals. There was a post made by someone who said that he hoped Routh rots in hell. I can assure you, Routh is in hell everyday of his life, thank you very much. He, like all of the other people in our society with PTSD, needs treatment that actually works. Not some disgusting medication whose side effects are homicide and/or suicide.
  
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- LeFaux Jew
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:40pm
  Thats so true…..people who come from abusive backgrounds, from childhood, as an example.
  People that have a child with cancer over a period of time are very susceptible to PTSD is another example. Not all people with PTSD are a danger to themselves or others…this is the distinction.
  
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- EgoLacuna
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 3:24pm
  It’s also worth mentioning that violence isn’t the only way PTSD can start. Unfortunately, the current diagnostic standards emphasize only physical trauma like severe injuries and death. In fact, PTSD can occur in any person who faced a situation where the stressors overwhelmed their ability to cope either psychologically, physically, or both. Every human has a limit, and if a person is taken beyond that limit, it can do long-lasting and very significant damage on every level – physically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually. I think most people who treat this disease would agree it is one of the hardest mountains a person could ever have to climb. Combine that with responsibilities at home and at work, and people often have to literally fight for their lives. There are a lot of silent heroes who won that fight and are winning it every day, so hopefully people can keep that in mind when condemning the ones who didn’t.
  
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Jo Walczak
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:23am
Where there no other people with guns?How did he (murderer just get in a truck and drive away?)
How many men/women were on the firing range at the time of Chris and the other man’s murder?
Be very afraid for our country.Too many good Patriots are dying.4 more years and we will no longer recognize the USA

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- LeFaux Jew
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 2:03pm
  We will know more as time goes on…I suspect it was a private type booth. If there were other people at the range, shots fired at a shooting range would not alert other people who are shooting at a shooting range?
  Like I said very well trained people are shot almost everyday in this country by totally untrained people.
  So why on earth would the conspiracy people think it is any different with this?
  
  Report this comment
Brian Williams
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:14am
Kyle said things in his book that other seals found offensive!

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Youngamericangirl
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:13am
May this American hero RIP. Truly horrible. I can’t believe some of the hateful comments that are being said about this man. People who are for “gun control” saying he deserved to be killed. Are you kidding me? So you’re against guns until they’re used against someone you disagree with or don’t like? No sorry, it doesn’t work like that and to even say something so disgusting is just unbelievable. I hope to God those vile comments never reach his family.

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loveoursoldiers
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:13am
and there are NO witnesses?

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sfarky
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:11am
after listening to these videos and finding out more about him THIS SMELLS OF A DC HIT!WHY THIS GUY WOULD HAVE BEEN PICKED BY THIS MENTALLY ILL PERSON OTHER WISE CHECK THE KILLERS FAMILIES BANK ACCOUNTS WATCHJ THEM FOR SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY ANY TIME SOON.THIS WAS DEFINITELY A DC HIT NO DOUBT ABOUT IT CLINTON AND ODUMBSHIT BOTH HAVE GOTTEN REAL GOOD AT MASS MURDERS AND ASSIGNATIONS TO GET WHAT THEY WANT!

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- MescaleroApache
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 1:19pm
  Definitely? So you are categorically, undeniably, positively and absolutely SURE that what you are saying is true? Good grief!!! At this point in time, NO ONE is definitely sure about anything that happened EXCEPT that our hero Chris is dead, his neighbor and Routh was the shooter.
  
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DADDYWOREAWHITEHAT
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:03am
A true son of TX who traveled the world in defense of his country and countrymen. Killed so close to home as he was volunteering to help others. No good deed goes unpunished anymore. He will be remembered with respect as well as fondness & gratitude. Welcome home for the last time Kyle. RIP

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semihardrock
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:01am
Not the FIRST Marine used to kill for other “world peace” motives……Oswald!

Win, win for Obama…..

1.) All sequestered US Military coming home will be labeled automatically with PSTD……aka no weapons allowed “mental disorder”

2.) another Seal killed in the name of “World Peace” after Bin Laden raid

Two birds, how convenient!

NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS!

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semihardrock
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:56am
What a COINCIDENCE!

How convenient and KILLS TWO BIRDS,

1.) ALL Military coming home after “sequestering” will be automatically be labeled with PTSD. (aka no weapons allowed) “mental disorder”

2.) ANOTHER Seal killed in exchange for Bin Laden raid and “World Peace”

Win, win for Obama! NOTHING is as it seems!

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ChiefGeorge
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:56am
Most certainly satanic forces are the inspiration behind these shootings but I highly doubt its some kind of deadly man made conspiracy to take out our best. Kyle was a walking legend and just like Lennon, got gunned down by someone who felt inferior and would never measure up. God be with Mr. Kyles family and that of his friend.

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- TomFXSTC
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:22am
  Like Lennon? Please tell me you don’t mean John Lennon.
  I feel no loss for John Lennon If it wasn’t for his ability to sing or write, he would be driving a truck just like me, because he had no common sence just like most everyone else in music or entertainment .
  
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TomFXSTC
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:55am
PTSD My ASSS!!!
Sounds to me like a gilt ridden Islamic sympathizer to me.

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- MescaleroApache
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:51pm
  This Routh kid displayed ALL of the symptoms of PTSD. Obviously you are running off your stupid mouth without having any true knowledge of what you are uttering. You look like a moron with your lack of knowledge and even common sense. Get a life.
  
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neverending
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:53am
Nothing plays more perfectly into the game plan of the ruthless thug we have sitting in the whitehouse. We knew this bastard would stop at nothing and truly believe this is what we are witnessing. Waterboarding is NEEDED for the pig that did this.

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- Obamistan
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:00am
  Well said ! Waterboard this rat !
  
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