Navy Seal Gunned Down In Erath County
ERATH COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) - Jail guards had to use a Taser and restraints Sunday night to control the suspected killer of a retired Navy SEAL sniper.
Erath County Sheriff Tommy Bryant says Eddie Routh became aggressive with guards trying to retrieve his dinner tray. The outburst came after investigators said they still aren't sure why Routh allegedly killed two people Saturday who were trying to help him.
Routh is accused of shooting Christopher Kyle, 38, of Midlothian and Chad Littlefield, 35.
Bryant said the trio traveled together to the Rough Creek Lodge east of Stephenville and headed to the shooting range about 3:15 p.m.
A hunting guide from the lodge found Kyle and Littlefield just after 5 p.m., dead from more than one gun shot. Investigators said the likely weapon was a semi-automatic handgun, though other firearms were found at the scene.
Investigators said Routh then stole Kyle's truck and drove to a sister's house in Midlothian. After talking to his sister and brother-in-law, Routh went to his home in Lancaster where police spoke to him.
He drove away from the scene, but police used stop sticks to stop the truck and take Routh into custody on I-35 near Camp Wisdom Road.
The handgun was recovered at Routh's home.
Bryant said the Texas Rangers interviewed Routh but he had not admitted to the killing or offered any explanation for what happened. There was some evidence, though, Bryant said that Routh's mother had called Kyle to try to help her son.
Routh spent four years in the Marines.
Kyle, known as one of the most feared snipers in the history of the armed forces, had made an effort to help veterans struggling after returning from service.
A statement on the website of Craft International, a law enforcement training company Kyle started, said he and Littlefield were trying to help a "troubled veteran."
"Apparently Mr. Kyle works with people who are suffering from issues from having been in the military," Bryant said. "And this shooter is possibly one of those people that he had taken out to the range, to mentor, to visit with, to help him."
Routh is being held on $3 million bond, and is expected to face two charges of capital murder.
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