I’m quite saddened to report that police have discovered two dead at Rough Creek Lodge in Texas. One victim has been identified as Chris Kyle, former US Navy SEAL and author of the best seller, “American Sniper.” As of Sunday morning, the second victim has been identified as close friend, 35 year old Chad Littlefield of Midlothian, Texas. Law Enforcement is treating the deaths as homicides.
Erath County, Texas Sheriff investigators stated that they have identified a suspect and that he should be treated as armed and dangerous, having military training. As head of Craft International, Chris often trained at Rock Creek Lodge, a well known resort offering Golf, Fishing, Hunting and Shooting Sports.
Whether training others to responsibly handle firearms, honing the skill of his fellow warriors or raising funds to help the wounded heal, Chris stood with his fellow Americans as a hero. Tragically, we understand that it was during a wounded warrior event that the fatalities occurred. Chris leaves behind his wife Taya and two children. We are diminished by his loss.
Local news outlets are reporting that the murders occurred between 3 and 4 PM and that just before 9 PM CST they apprehended suspect Eddie Ray Routh over 70 miles away in Lancaster, Texas. The suspect fled the scene in Kyle’s pickup. 25 year old Routh is a Texas native and authorities are seeking a capital murder warrant. Routh is said to be a USMC Veteran and a PTSD sufferer, although there has been not motive disclosed in the murders. He has been arraigned and is being held on a $3 Million bond.
UPDATE – Apparently, the three were at a range at about 3:15 on the property and were discovered by a hunting guide about two hours later. Erath County Sheriff Tommy Bryant has disclosed that Routh used a semiauto handgun in the slayings and shot both victims multiple times.
Further details have emerged. Apparently, Routh drove to his sister’s home in Midlothian and told his sister and brother-in-law about the crime and they contacted authorities after he had left.
www.yourstephenvilletx.com reports that jailers had to tase an unruly Routh when the prisoner refused to turn in his tray after dinner. He is reportedly restrained to a chair in his cell.
We will continue to update this story as we receive additional information.
The Erath County Sheriff has released this photo of suspect, Eddie Ray Routh. Normally we don’t show photos of accused murderers but, as Routh is a former Marine, some of you may know him.
Tags: Chris Kyle
Wow. Rest in peace brother.
Whoa! WTF???!!! keep us updated and my prayers are with his family…I’m at a loss for words
Unbelievable. A damn American hero deserved better. We’ll take it from here brother.
Rest in peace brother. The nation has lost a hero. May swift justice be brought to the savage who took him from us.
I was just with him two weeks ago. Doom on the people who did this.
rest in peace brother…we got you
Looks like they may have the low-down dirty dog that done it. Get some rope.
https://twitter.com/JasonWhitely
RIP Brother. You deserved better. See you on the other side.
Rest In peace. Your service kept our country safe. may your killer suffer alot of pain and a swift justice.
Godspeed Chris, we will honor your memory!
Wow.
Rest in Peace. My prayers are with the family.
Condolences to the family. Smells like a conspiracy!! Eddie Ray Routh…Lee Harvey Oswald…John Wilkes Booth. Hmmmm
They do that so that everyone else with the same first and last names don’t get slathered with the backlash of their namesake’s behavior.
sorry i got to agree with Chuy, alot of killings here lately and only first and last names used to identify suspect. Just my opinion but hypothetically when anarchy,and chaos breaks out how deadly would he have been against the opposition. just saying.
Dugg,
So that I fully understand what you are saying, I need to rephrase. What you mean is that if the press uses a killer’s full name then that is an admission that he was party to a conspiracy. But, if the killer only has a first and last name then he is just a run-of-the-mill scumbag. Is this what you mean? If so, you are stupid.
You are right!
So sad and tragic. My thoughts are with his family. Horrible day.
truly at a loss of words.. wow… thoughts and prayers are with the family.. just wow…
Rest in peace brother. My prayers go out to you and your family, friends, and loved ones.
RIP Chris. Sorry to see you go, but glad you got to make it home to enjoy the time you had. You are remembered.
I’m sick…
Heartbreaking. I hope justice will be served on this murderer and that the families of the victims will find peace.
My regards to the family peace be with you. Rest now
Chris. You will be missed. Chris good journey brother Thank you for your service.
Rest in peace. I am thankful that we got the great service we did from Chris and his skills. I hope the ass hat that did this dies in the chair with some good ole Texas justice.
A loss for words, the light of a true patriot has been extinguished.
Rest in peace brother.
RIP Man, thank you more than words can convey for your service, Our prayers go out to him and his family, God Bless him.
RIP brother, you were an amazing person.
Navy Chief – Navy Pride
I can’t believe it, you made the bad times over in sadr city not so bad you always had a way of making things funny. I never got to thank you for what you did for me in Najaf, just wish I could have been there for you. I’m so sorry for your family and friends, just know I’ll never forget who got me out when I was hit. The world has lost a real hero.
I am truly sorry to of the lost of a True Hero, my hat is off to Chris and for his family, may his killer be brought to swift and proper justice, my time heal the lost of a great man.
Rest in Peace Chris. Our prayers to your wife and kids.
This news makes me sick to my stomach.
Fair Winds and Following Seas shipmate. A tragic loss to America, another hero gone. Prayer sent on high for Chris’ family.
Wow, very sad news.
ANOTHER BROTHER FALLEN R.I.P. CHRIS YOU MAY BE GONE BROTHER BUT NEVER FORGOTEN FORTUNA AUDACES IUVAT THE ONLY EASY DAY WAS YESTERDAY.
Godspeed
God be with Kyle’s family and provide the comfort that will get them through the days and weeks ahead. America is richer for that fact that Chris Kyle lived and served with HONOR.
I feel terrible, I thought Chris was an awesome guy. I hope the killer gets some prison justice . Feel so bad for his wife and kids
Thoughts and prayers to the family, swift and lethal justice to man responsible!
Fair winds and following seas frogman……God speed!
This is ridiculous, we need to start taking a look internally and start cleaning up this nation full of crackpots. No american deserves this let alone a man who put his life on the line to defend our great nation. Never Forgotten
I’m curious what you have in mind.
Rest well brother. Your mark has been left and you have made a difference in many lives. Thank you for giving of yourself so that others may live. Your torch will be carried on. You can drop your pack, we got it. My prayers are with the Kyle family. SSD, keep us posted.
I smell a weak communist who remembers the heroes of Bengazi and is watching real American men who are a threat to their evil plans.
God protect our men. Rest in peace brave warrior.
Yes , just as I thought, I smell a conspiracy, taking out the opposition one at a time. What did Chris in Bengazi find out Obama and Hillary didn’t want exposed?
Drop the crack pipe.
You are both idiots. This is a wake for a hero, not the Glen Beck show.
Insulting to his memory. From what I read in his book and saw of him interviews we lost one of the great ones. Keep the conspiracy bs out of this.
It must be a conspiracy. What else are we to think? There have been way too many killings since the Democrats started the push to relieve US citizens of their rights to keep and bear arms. Rest in peace, Chris Kyle.
What do you mean?
A conspiracy? WTF are you talking about?
I’m disgusted and embarrassed that heroes like Chris Kyle are disrespected by filth like these clowns on my local newspapers blog .
http://www.sfgate.com/news/texas/articleComments/Reports-Ex-SEAL-author-fatally-shot-on-gun-range-4246712.php
I couldn’t look at that website any more as the comments on the story were just infuriating!
Learned a long time ago not to read comments on articles other than here on SSD and a few other select sights. Gets my blood pressure way too high. My prayers are with the Kyle family.
Apparently it was a guy with PTSD who lost it.
Its a sign that people must take PTSD more seriously.
RIP Chris Kyle.
Having PTSD doesn’t necessarily mean one is predisposed to violent outbursts. You’re a reader of SSD, and as such should know better.
Having PTSD doesn’t necessarily mean one is predisposed to violent outbursts. You’re a reader of SSD, and as such should know better.
I knew about this news as soon as I got up and it shocked me. I couldn’t believe it!
For sure Chris is looking us from Heaven right now. He has just become one of those angels who watch us. I will remember him this morning in the range.
Rest In Peace, Brother In Arms!
God bless you!
My most sincere condolences to his Family, Friends, and Mates.
Only had the oppurtunity to meet Chris one time, but even in that short meeting you could tell he was an American patriot. Willing to do anything to ensure our success. Rest in peace.
Prayers for the family. “Blessed are the Peacemaker’s”
Thoughts and Prayers for his young family… very sad… RIP Warrior.
‘THANK YOU’ for the 2 minutes we spoke… and signing my book..
An awesome Operator, Brother…. and down-to-earth Texan..
ALWAYS REMEMBER NEVER FORGET….Those who serve with HONOR, both in Harm’s way and at home.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate … We in the Chiefs Mess Will Miss you.
Fair Winds Chief Kyle!
I’m so sorry for such a lost. This guy was an american hero. RIP brother. America can’t stay an open range like this. Something needs to be done.
What do you mean?
whole thing smells …look at facts 2hr delay between shooting and 911 call…real long time to report 2nd man…reported party at club at same time for vets….who called 911.. more sealed reports and funerals..where the witnesses,if any…..
I have addressed this.
Rest in peace chris . Ssd, thank your for the report and kind words for this man. Gods peace on this family.
I was sickened to hear this. We’ve lost a true American hero, on the battlefield and off. My heart goes out to the families of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield.