After his death, Clint Eastwood directed a 2014 film, American Sniper, based on Kyles book. They were just taking me to the range, so I shot them. It's Walkout Wednesday! 1. The staffer provided Long with a 12-gauge shotgun and shells. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines at the age of 18 in 2006 and was deployed as an armorer in 2007. Tragically, their encounter would result in Chris Kyles death. Watch the stories of ordinary crime and the work of criminal masterminds. At the Rough Creek. For all the shots fired in Iraq after the American-led invasion in 2003, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle rarely wasted any of his. They were just taking me to the range, so I shot them, Routh told police in his rambling post-arrest interview. On another occasion he calmly broke off a phone conversation with his wife to fight off a fierce night attack. Kyle thought that shooting a firearm might offer some kind of . The devastating death inspired many conspiracy theories and prompted Erath County Sheriff Tommy Bryant to launch an investigation into the murder. These Texas zip codes are among the hottest in, Texas is the 7th best state to drive in, study finds, Download the CW33 News App for iOS and Android, Heres when you should give your child cold medication, These TX zip codes are among the hottest in the, Republicans threaten vote to increase debt ceiling, Popular Chicago-based eatery Portillos grand opening, Dallas Children Advocacy Center hosts Mahjong for, Al-Qaida chiefs pattern of life was key to death, Hospital bills $847 facility fee for Zoom call, Whats next in unprecedented case of truck driver. Taya Kyle cried at points during her testimony, including when she described last seeing her husband before he left to pick up both Routh and Littlefield on their way to Rough Creek Lodge in Glen Rose, Texas. They stared at each other for an instant before Kyle, realising they were Russian Chechens recruited to fight for the Jihad, shot them all before they could do the same to him. The men arrived at the shooting range at around 3 p.m. and raised a red Bravo flag to indicate that the range was being used. Kyle later downplayed the long-range kill as a "really, really lucky shot". Many fans were drawn to Kyles unashamed patriotism and unvarnished account of modern warfare. By the end of the first day, he had shot three men and his partner another two. In June 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were left slaughtered in pools of their own blood, reportedly by the hands of Brown Simpson's former husband, O.J. Rather more unconventionally, he also discovered he shot far more accurately if he had a wad of chewing tobacco wedged inside his cheek. He argued that the lodge should have cleaned the guns prior to the day's shooting. The upscale resort is facing a civil lawsuit over a 2009 incident that blew off the thumb of a 17-year-old boy, William Travis Long. The McMillan TAC-338 is a specialized sniper rifle made to "exact" specifications with long range lethality and precision in mind, explains Military Factory. Chris Kyle's widow, Taya Kyle, said the Kyles spent that Saturday like many American parents: on the sidelines of their children's sports games. A Chicago prostitute later admitted that she had left Chris alone in his apartment as he had began to pass out on the floor! Although he was never convicted for their murders, it's widely believed that Simpson killed Brown Simpson and Goldman. On Jan. 25, 2013, Jodi Routh approached Chris Kyle at the elementary school his kids attended and where she worked. How Ivar The Boneless Became One Of History's Most Feared Vikings, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Im just a regular guy, he said. The murders of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield occurred on February 2, 2013, at a shooting range near Chalk Mountain, Texas. Born on April 8, 1974, in Odessa, Texas, Christopher Scott Kyle dreamt of joining the military from a young age. [14], Routh's attorneys argued that he was insane at the time of the murders. Eddie Ray Routh faces capital murder charges for shooting the former Navy SEAL and his friend, Chad Littlefield. She graduated from Oberlin College, where she earned a double degree in American History and French. He kept running, regretting bitterly he was armed only with a snipers rifle whose 20-round magazine was pitifully inadequate. When Rouths mother approached Kyle and begged him to help her son, Kyle agreed. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. I didnt want it to be the thing that was hanging over their heads for the very rest of their lives as the film that showed their father getting shot, Hall explained. [2], Murders of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield, "The fatal intersection of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and the Marine veteran who killed him", "Chad Littlefield, 1977-2013: The Other Shooting-Range Victim", "Inside the Tortured Mind of Eddie Ray Routh, the Man Who Killed American Sniper Chris Kyle", "Noted sniper slain at Erath County gun range", "Man charged in fatal shooting of ex-SEAL/author", "Chris Kyle's Widow Breaks Down on the Stand and the Chilling Text Message", "Author of 'American Sniper' among the dead at Rough Creek", "Ex-SEAL Chris Kyle remembered after shooting death", "At 'American Sniper' murder trial, a psychosis defense", "Jury Returns Guilty Verdict in 'American Sniper' Trial", "Jury finds Eddie Ray Routh guilty in 'American Sniper' case", "Chris Kyle Funeral Procession Arrives in Austin. After reading about Chris Kyles death at the hands of Eddie Ray Routh, discover the story of Simo Hyh, the deadliest sniper in history. Like Kyle, Eddie Ray Routh had served time in Iraq. Chris Kyle, American Sniper, killed at a shooting range TomoNews US 2.69M subscribers 2.9M views 9 years ago Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in U.S. History, and his friend Chad. The phone, a box of 9 mm ammunition, drug paraphernalia and a blue-jean jacket were seized from the 25-year-old Routh's home after he was arrested near his house in Lancaster, Texas, according to a police search warrant affidavit, inventory sheet and other documents. Chris, who served four tours in Iraq before his death at age 38 in 2013, "was so complicated in so many ways but so simple in other ways," his widow, Taya Kyle, tells PEOPLE in this week's. 4. On Thursday the drama, directed by Clint Eastwood, also became an Oscar contender, with six nominations including Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay (writer Jason Hall) and Best Actor (Bradley Cooper). Routh allegedly confessed to shooting Kyle, author of the best-selling book "American Sniper," and Chad Littlefield on Saturday afternoon at Rough Creek Lodge in Glen Rose. We also wanted to be careful not to glorify the guy who did it.. Bestseller: Kyle's naked hatred of enemies, who he described as savages shocked some, but the American Sniper became an instant bestseller, selling 800,000 copies to date. I would worry about him all the time. Chris, who served four tours in Iraq before his death at age 38 in 2013, was so complicated in so many ways but so simple in other ways, his widow, Taya Kyle, tells PEOPLE in this weeks issue. I asked my daughter's teachers not to call her a boy they reported me to social services. According to the Hollywood Reporter, he turned on Kyle and Littlefield so suddenly that they had no chance to defend themselves. From the start to finish ABC News is your source for the breaking stories of the rising crime rate in our nation. Newsfeed Now: Biden unveils $1.75 trillion spending, Newsfeed Now: Democrats push to wrap up negotiations, Newsfeed Now: FDA panel backs Pfizers low-dose COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Industry peers angry over deadly movie, Newsfeed Now: Infrastructure Bill drawing toward, Newsfeed Now: FBI IDs remains of Brian Laundrie;, WATCH: Master Minds host, star discuss hit game show, This Dallas restaurant serves some of the meanest,, Texas ranked among best states in US for business, Judge denies class action status for fired Twitter, Cooler temps to end work week behind cold front, Texas deli ranked among best places to get pastrami, Expect to receive lower income tax refund this year, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. It hurt like hell, he said, but he just kept shooting. According to a blog post from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Kyle ultimately decided to enlist after he suffered a bull riding injury at a rodeo. Kyle was killed with a .45-caliber pistol, while Littlefield was shot with a 9mm SIG Sauer P226 Mk.25 Mod 0 pistol. Retired Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and a friend, Chad Littlefield, were fatally shot at the resort's gun range, allegedly by Eddie Ray Routh, a reportedly emotionally troubled veteran Kyle was trying to help. Taya Ranae Studebacker was born in Portland, Oregon, and is the daughter of the mayor of Lake Oswego, Kent Studebaker. I want to go back. , 3. Routh was arrested after a short freeway chase that saw him flee in Kyle's Ford F-350 truck and crash into a police cruiser. Kyle, 38, and a friend had taken troubled Eddie Routh to a shooting range as therapy only for Routh to shoot them dead. On day two, jurors were shown some graphic pictures of the crime scene. I'm sure they've forgiven me."[6]. Despite arguments from the defense that he suffered from psychosis, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses, a judge convicted Routh to life in prison. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth", "Details announced for Navy SEAL Chris Kyle's memorial service at Cowboys Stadium", "Residents Line I-35 to Pay Respects to Slain Navy SEAL", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murders_of_Chris_Kyle_and_Chad_Littlefield&oldid=1117082417, Chris Kyle (April 8, 1974 February 2, 2013), age 38. Hall added that Kyles widow, Taya, had also asked him not to include her husbands murder for the sake of their children. Taya Kyle reveals how American Sniper brought her husband back to life and why she trusted Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper. Two years after Chad Littlefield and Chris Kyles death, Eddie Ray Routh was found guilty of first degree murder. Were so thrilled that we have the verdict that we have tonight, Kyles mother, Judy, told reporters. He believed that where most recruits failed in training was stalking the art of sneaking into a position without being seen. Kyle was known as the best sniper of his time. I'm getting worried." He would always say, Mow a vets lawn, help them deal with their groceries, do anything. Any little thing would have a massive impact, so if this [film] can help Chris spread the message he wanted to spread, then we will all have done our job.. Chris Kyle survived four tours in Iraq. In life, Kyle became the deadliest sniper in American history and spent his final years helping veterans like himself to adjust to civilian life. Complete coverage of Chris Kyle on Crimesider, First published on February 8, 2013 / 10:46 AM. I was just making sure she didnt take any Marines with her, he wrote. With his friend Chad Littlefield riding shotgun, Kyle picked up Routh and drove him to a shooting range at Rough Creek Lodge in rural Texas. Early in the battle for the city, Kyle was injured after a rocket-propelled grenade hit the building in which he was hiding, collapsing a wall on to his legs and pinning him there. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Devil: Iraqis placed a $20,000 (13,000) bounty on Kyle's head, a man they referred to as the 'Devil of Ramadi'. Meanwhile, Kyle and Littlefield were also unsettled by their passenger in the backseat. Eddie Routh had spent four years in the Marines but since leaving he had twice been hospitalized for mental illness. Bringing cake into the office is as harmful to colleagues as secondhand smoking, Britain's top food tsar Bradley Cooper to make SEAL film - m.NYPOST.com, Do not sell or share my personal information. Zook has closely followed this month's tragedy. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle had $20,000 bounty placed on his head by Iraqis With up to 160 confirmed kills became deadliest sniper in US military history Shot at shooting range in Texas by troubled. Kyle wrote a book in 2012 called American Sniper: The Autobiography, telling the story of his four tours in Iraq from 1999-2009. His gung-ho ferocity and naked hatred of enemies he described as savages shocked some, but the book became an instant bestseller. Eddie lived with his parents and was a thin, scraggly 25-year-old. HuffPost's top politics stories, straight to your inbox. Vote here and tell us why. As they neared their doom, Kyle texted Littlefield: This dude is straight up nuts.. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. To do this, SEALs had to adapt to the hot and sweaty ghillie suit made out of hessian cloth on which the sniper attached hay, grass or whatever was needed to blend into the environment he was entering. 'American Sniper' Chris Kyle Killing: 911 Call Released Made from Texas Gun Range ABC News 14M subscribers Subscribe 2.6K Share Save 775K views 9 years ago The former Navy SEAL and author was. World News Tonight keeps the American public informed, up to date, and empowered by providing the latest information and analysis of major breaking news from around the country and the world. / CBS News. Kyles goal, his wife Taya later explained to The New Yorker, was to give someone who was hurting a chance to talk on the drive, spend a short bit of time shooting, and then give him a little more time to talk on the way home, to find some outlets and resources., But the drive with Eddie Ray Routh was seemingly a tense one. Eddie Ray Routh was found guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. Originally published on 12 February, 2015Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh, 27, is being tried for the 2013 murder of "American Sniper" Chris Kyle, 38, and the m. [6], Routh was a 25-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Lancaster, Texas. He died trying to help a former Marine.On Feb. 2, 2013, Chris and his friend Chad Littlefield took 25-year-old former Marine Eddie Ray Routh to a Texas shooting range after Rouths mother had asked Chris for help with her son, whom she said was suffering from PTSD. [4], Routh was arraigned February 2, 2013, on two counts of capital murder, and was taken to the Erath County Jail for holding under a $3 million bond. When is the right time to give my child cold medicine? Scene: The shooting took place at Rough Creek Lodge in Glen Rose, Texas earlier this month. Kyle took up a position just set back from the street window of a top-floor flat and in a macabre touch he and his partner used an upturned babys crib to rest their rifles on as they lay down on rolled-up bedding and waited. I said, Is everything okay? And he said, Yeah, I just need to get down there and get back. , Asked about the irony of his death occurring at home after surviving such brutal odds in combat, Taya, who says she is still grappling with the big hole in her heart, replies, Whats so interesting is that I was always such an over thinker anyway. He was buried on February 12, 2013, at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, after the funeral cortege journeyed from Midlothian to Austin, more than 200 miles (320km). A staff writer for All That's Interesting, Kaleena Fraga has also had her work featured in The Washington Post and Gastro Obscura, and she published a book on the Seattle food scene for the Eat Like A Local series. Kyle, a former Navy SEAL, was walking down the range with his friend Littlefield to set up targets when Eddie Ray Routh opened fire and hit both of them. 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