TEXAS — Chris Kyle, the legendary Navy SEAL and author of the bestselling memoir American Sniper, was tragically killed on February 2, 2013, at a Texas gun range. Kyle, widely regarded as one of America’s most decorated snipers, was shot by Eddie Ray Routh, a former Marine whom Kyle had been mentoring to cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Routh, who also struggled with mental health challenges, fatally shot Kyle along with his friend Chad Littlefield in the shocking incident that drew national attention and underscored the ongoing challenges faced by veterans dealing with PTSD.
Eddie Ray Routh was later tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Kyle and Littlefield. Kyle’s legacy endures not only as a record-setting sniper but also as an advocate for fellow veterans, remembered fondly by his family, comrades, and countless fans across the United States and beyond.