Ex-Navy SEAL sniper, neighbor shot dead at Texas gun range

Fort Worth, TX, United States (4E) – Former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who claimed more than 150 sniper killings in Iraq in his bestselling autobiography “American Sniper,” was shot dead at a gun range in Texas Saturday.

The bemedaled war veteran’s neighbor, Chat Littlefield, 35, was also shot dead in Glenn Rose by alleged suspect Eddie Ray Routh, 25, who escaped to his home in Lancaster after the shooting by driving Kyle’s truck, according to police. Police later arrested Routh after a car chase and charged him with double murder.

Investigators said Kyle was killed while helping Routh, a former Marine suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Investigators have yet to establish the motive for the killing.

The nonprofit Fitco Cares Foundation, which Kyle co-founded to help ex-soldiers with PTSD get home fitness equipment, said it will continue its mission in honor of Kyle. Fitco director Travis Cox described Kyle, who left behind two children, a dedicated father and husband, patriot and American hero.

Kyle’s 150 sniper killings in Iraq, where he served four tours before retiring in 2009, is considered a record in U.S. military history.

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