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Crime

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)

FIREANDBRIMSTONE
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:04pm
And now watch the tea people insert their paranoid conspiracy theory comments about Obama. Its always Obamas fault…blah..blah..blah…same old drivel.

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- MLeo
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 4:37pm
  Obama’s version of gun control: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnod9iaZsTI
  
  See minutes 1:10-2:00: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ8ouA-UlH0
  
  Report this comment
A Hoosier Says
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:02pm
Wow, you guys are making Alex Jones blush. Chill out with the conspiracy theories until you hear more.

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- Master_and_Commander
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:12pm
  Thank you. Some people have no decency it seems, soon as a tragedy occurs there they come, parachuting in with the conspiracies…
  
  Report this comment
FIREANDBRIMSTONE
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:02pm
If you live by the gun you will die by it.

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- M3Law
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:11pm
  Well, Chris was volunteering his time to help another in need.
  
  Report this comment
- IndyGuy
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:14pm
  And you sir…are an idiot…
  
  Report this comment
- DEFCON4
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:20pm
  @ ‘f n g’ , And the path you chose, shall lead you into captivity…….
  
  Report this comment
- M3Law
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:20pm
  Chris left his young children and wife to serve his country and as I view it, protect me, my wife and 4 young children. Now while trying to help another in need he is taken permanently from his wife and children.
  I grieve for his family and will keep them in our prayers. I hope to learn of a fund to support his family.
  We are all diminished for losing him, yet blessed for having him.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:28pm
  It’s just another nasty newbie troll guys.
  
  Report this comment
- DEFCON4
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:46pm
  Monk, gotcha’, Hence the ‘f n g’……have a good-night at work.
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 1:44am
  If we learned anything from Sandy Hook, it was,
  keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill.
  I’m surmising Chris had no idea just how messed up this guy was.
  
  Report this comment
SuperSuineg
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:01pm
still not on fox…or any other

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- MLeo
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:45pm
  A lot of things are not on anywhere.
  
  See the Obama Dead Pool: http://www.nachumlist.com/deadpool.htm
  
  RIP, Kyle.
  
  Report this comment
50calgunner
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:01pm
Some thing just occurd to me when I read the part about PTSD.. The military was pushing returning vets to say they were suffering from PTSD. This will be the spark that starts Obama saying we need to disarm vets.

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- circleDwagons
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:43pm
  I just made that comment to my wife. GOD help us. Prayers to All vets , active milititary and their families.
  
  Report this comment
- IndyGuy
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:47am
  I believe you are correct…That is precisely why folks need to get help privately…The Government is trying to make us all, one way or another. unable to possess firearms…
  
  Report this comment
- IndyGuy
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:49am
  P.S….This is also the reason for the push to get all Doctors files in electronic form and easily shared…The Government is NOT your friend…And now,neither is your Doctor…
  
  Report this comment
- MLeo
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:50pm
  Obama vs. the United States miliary: http://nachumlist.com/obamavmilitary.htm
  
  Report this comment
theRealG0nz0
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:01pm
I knew Chris Kyle. My wife went to HS with him and we just spent some time with him at a class reunion. America just lost another hero, and a genuinely humble guy. We’re heartbroken and our prayers are with his family and friends.

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I Fly Low
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:57pm
My understanding is that it was a Marine with PTSD that Chris had been working with at the range and he “snapped”. The truck belonged to Chris and the shooter stole it.

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- I Fly Low
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:03pm
  Suspect: Eddie Routh, 25 year old former Marine from Midlothian
  
  Report this comment
SUNTZU
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:55pm
We lost another HERO today
Father,in the name of Jesus,I thank you
for our veterans. I thank You for their
willingness to risk all so that our nation
might dwell in peace and safety.
May they find the honor and recognition
they deserve.
In the Jesus name,I pray that you will bring
peace to those who mourn the loss of
Family and Comrades.
Father,I pray that our nation would learn
to respect and acknowledge those who have
served and those who have given their all

GOD BLESS
(Old Medic)
So Others May Live

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- spirited
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:01pm
  Amen
  
  Report this comment
- GlennaBeckski
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:57am
  Amen ~~ Just not so sure this country is worth dying for anymore.
  
  Bring our troops home ~ we need them here
  
  Report this comment
- SUNTZU
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 2:16am
  GLENNA-
  I here what your saying,just remember=
  WE THE PEOPLE are the country.
  Then the answer is YES.it is.
  
  Report this comment
dbeesh
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:55pm
Odd and curious how Navy Seals are getting ‘killed’ after the Bin Ladin was taken out. Curious.

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- MLeo
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:41pm
  After the Somali pirate incident, you mean.
  
  This is what Obama means when he says gun control and assault weapons. He and the Left are scared s#!tless of patriots who know their way around.
  
  Report this comment
STEV3E
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:54pm
And obama has been asking the military leader if they would turn their weapons on Americans….. well, it sounds like he just got his answer. Prayers to Chris’s friends and family.

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spirited
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:51pm
The suspect in the sniper Chris Kyle murder is a 25-year-old former Marine from Midlothian

Good Lord!!!!!!!
Whats going on?

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LoveBringsTruth
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:49pm
Definitely a hit.

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Karliner
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:49pm
Too many SEAL’s ( and others ) are dying. Does someone have a ill list? I have family that are SEAL’s, so this get real personal. 31 dead on a Chinook, and others dropping,k their books debunked by the left, someone spikes the football rendering all Osama intelo negligible and yet I try not to think conspiracy.” But if not so,k then what? Some one well guarded and well kept, someone no one can get to is diverting all questions scaring the journalists into preppie cheerleaders( or they’re doing it themselves) and I wonder about congress, the sentate, those NOT elected as they were too dangerous or not the right color black( like Allen West, 9-9-9) questions are diverted, and Carney doesn’t pass the smell test, nor does Fast and Furious, the AG, Benghazi, Egypt, ****** B Hood in the WH, …oh my I better stop.

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- JackInABox
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 7:40pm
  It may help to study Indonesia and the history of their “president.” Mil DickTaters have to have loyal mil. And they tend to know who is who. These ops and getting so very very troublesome. No conspiracy. Just history. Take care… and watch your backs.
  
  Report this comment
Wiley41
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:48pm
Maybe I am putting on the tin foil hat, but something else that crossed my mind today….

This whole hostage mess in Alabama doesn’t make any sense. Smell fishy too that all the news keeps revolving around how this hostage taker has a ‘bunker’. Almost like someone is trying to discredit us preppers. Really his bunker is no more than a storm shelter that many of us have.

And then Noveske. And now Chris.

If you find me dead know now that I would never commit suicide

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hackerssuck
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:46pm
I blame Obama. Somehow that no nuts pansy had a hand in this.

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- Master_and_Commander
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:14pm
  Get the hell off the Blaze
  
  Report this comment
dcraw21b
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:45pm
God be with these families. Most of the truth probably will never even be reported. And that’s a shame. Just saying what you’re probably thinking.

“who was believed to be driving a black Ford F-350 truck with large tires and rims.” …? So he killed two people at a firing range and just drove off? That being said, I doubt it was a close range killing. Which would probably signal pre-meditation and designated targets. Just my opinions.

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LeadNotFollow
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:44pm
Under Obama’s watch, too many SEALS are being killed.

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- wowjustwow
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:39am
  Stop the nonsense. First you complain that Obama thinks he’s God…then you make it seem like he is God in that he can be omnipresent. Get a life.
  
  Report this comment
JimCS
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:44pm
Watching this situation closely. Too soon to be sure of anything.

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50calgunner
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:44pm
Looks like the government is trying to eliminate people that would be leaders against them when SHTF. I’m going to need more tin foil

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- spirited
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:55pm
  Yes, and how many Generals have recently “resigned”?
  
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- specforjag
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:12pm
  pass that tin foil over here. RIP good sir!!
  
  Report this comment
phillipwgirard
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:44pm
Sounds and is very fishy,

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A Hoosier Says
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:43pm
I never bought his story about punching Ventura. I think he was just trying to sell books. I feel terrible about this, though. I hope the authorities catch the killer. Sounds like some trash talking got out of hand with a lunatic.

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Gouchybear
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:43pm
This SMELLS, and smells bad! Can you say HIT?!? It certainly was no accident that’s for d***ed sure. Prayers for the families of those killed. R..I.P. Chris Kyle….

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dealer@678
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:42pm
The son of a bitch that did this is somewhere hiding under a desk . The POS

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Saving_the_Republic.com
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:41pm
True warrior! Thank you for your service RIP

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Unix
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:41pm
How many have died now? Something smells rotten in Denmark!?

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