Parents of gun range killings suspect thank victim

February 26, 2013 @ 3:39 pm

DALLAS (AP) - The parents of the man accused of killing former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle on a Texas gun range are publicly thanking the celebrated sniper for helping their son deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The mother of Eddie Ray Routh said Tuesday she and her husband want others with PTSD "to know their struggle is recognized."

In a statement, Jodi Routh also expressed hope that the tragedy will "somehow help in getting care and assistance for those in need."

Eddie Ray Routh is charged with a capital murder count and two murder counts stemming from the killings of Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield on Feb. 2.

The 25-year-old Routh has been described as a troubled vet who was hospitalized for mental problems.

Kyle wrote the best-selling book "American Sniper."


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (9)


  • Add A Comment

  • CH wrote...
    Ex-Navy SEAL died pursuing his passion
    February 4, 2013 3:20 am
    take note republicans when pursuing your passions GUNS. Example dick cheney hunting accident.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • daveismenotyou wrote...
    Could you be any worse?
    February 4, 2013 7:47 am
    What a freaking idiot you are.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    What go's around comes around
    February 4, 2013 8:20 am
    This guy loved guns and killing 100s of men,women and children with guns (4 tours in Iraq).I can't shed a tear for this sniper. Shooting someone to death from a 1/2 mile away is as cowardly as terrorists using IEDs.Taking a disturbed veteran to a shooting range as some sort of outing to help the veteran with his PTSD is complete LUNACY and shows a complete lack of judgement.Its true you reap what you sow
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  • daveismenotyou wrote...
    I used to respect you messiah101
    February 4, 2013 1:35 pm
    No longer. I know you don't give a rip though. The guy did what he did while on duty. Your comment today is lower than low (not as bad as CH, but close).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    dave
    February 4, 2013 5:46 pm
    I could go along with 1 tour ,because he probably had no clue what was going on over there but he signed on for 3 more tours which can only mean HE LIKED KILLING PEOPLE!!He was in a country that WE INVADED killing Iraq citizens for fighting for their own country.We may disagree with their motivation but we can't deny that we invaded and its their country.This Sniper thinks life was cheap.You reap what you sow.Just because he was American does not mean he is do any respect for his actions.
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  • kato1967 wrote...
    You sir...
    February 4, 2013 1:49 pm
    are a comtemptible piece of human garbage. Same for you messiah. You talk about reaping what you sow, your own vile hatefulness will come back to you several times over. I don't often wish ill on people that disagree with me, but in this case I will make an exception.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BARLOW wrote...
    Hey moron101
    February 8, 2013 5:52 pm
    "This guy loved guns and killing 100s of men,women and children with guns" is pretty lame. How many women and children did he kill? Are you saying that he loved killing women and children? Who is your source, CH? Maybe he felt that by doing his duty he was saving other Americans. How many Americans are alive because of his efforts? "Shooting someone to death from a 1/2 mile away is as cowardly", as an expert on courage, perhaps you can explain, based on your vast experience, how he was a coward. If YOU reap what you sow put around your rose bushes, it will make them grow.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Theodorethegreat wrote...
    Why doesn't someone
    February 4, 2013 1:47 pm
    just leave a belt in this idiot's cell? Save us the bill.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • twistedsteel wrote...
    True Hero
    February 4, 2013 7:54 pm
    People that would make despicable comments about this American hero put their ideology and character flaws on display for all to see. This man volunteered to serve his country and saved the lives of many of his fellow warfighters as a result. There are dozens of men who made it home safely thanks to Mr. Kyle. To all the misrable, brain washed,sheeple that would use his murder to further their ideology...Remember that this country exists because of people like Mr. Kyle and your meaningless existence pales in comparison.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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