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Renowned Navy SEAL sniper shot dead at Texas gun range; suspect charged

Jessica Stanton Contributor
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Chris Kyle, known as “the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history,” was reportedly shot and killed at the Rough Creek Lodge in Glen Rose, Texas on Saturday.

Kyle, a former Navy SEAL sniper and author of the best-seller “American Sniper,” and a friend were found dead at the Rough Creek Lodge shooting range. According to WWFA-TV in Dallas, “Kyle was shot point-blank while helping another soldier who is recovering from post traumatic stress syndrome.”

The Empire Tribune in Stephenville, Texas reports that the suspect, Eddie Ray Routh, was captured in the town of Lancaster around 9:00 p.m. Law enforcement officials believe Routh is a “highly trained individual with military experience.”

Jack Murphy at the Special Operations Forces Situation Report (SOFREP) published a post regarding the tragic murders on Saturday night, reading in part: “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 arrested him.”

Nicknamed “The Devil of Ramadi” by insurgents, Kyle served four tours of duty in Iraq and had 160 confirmed kills as a sniper. He made news last January when he alleged that he punched former Minnesota governor and show-wrestler Jesse Ventura when Ventura made disparaging comments about dead Navy SEALs. (RELATED: Navy SEAL who ‘punched’ Jesse Ventura: Witnesses are coming)

Kyle, 38, is survived by his wife and two children.

Update, 12:35 p.m.: A suspect has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting, according to Texas law enforcement authorities.

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