Who is Eddie Ray Routh?
Born on September 30, 1987, in Lancaster, Texas, United States, Eddie Ray Routh is currently 37 years old (as of 2024). His parents are Raymond Ray Routh Sr. and Jodi Routh, and he has a sister named Laura Bess Routh. Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps.
He spent seven years in the Marine Corps and was discharged in July 2011 after serving as a prison guard and weapons repairman at a base near Baghdad in 2007. He also participated in a humanitarian mission in Haiti during his service.
What happened to Eddie Ray Routh?
Eddie’s life began to unravel within a year of his release from the military. He struggled to maintain employment and exhibited erratic behavior, including experiencing panic episodes and making irrational statements. He also suffered from auditory hallucinations and made threats of self-harm, causing his family to take action by removing his firearms.
In July 2011, Eddie was accepted into the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dallas. During his stay, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The doctors at the hospital recommended a combination of antipsychotic and anti-anxiety medications, but Eddie refused to continue the treatment when he left the facility and stopped taking the prescribed drugs.
What did Eddie do?
In the early hours of February 2, 2013, the world was met with devastating news: a shooting had taken place near Chalk Mountain in Texas. What was even more unexpected was that Eddie was responsible for the tragic incident, which claimed the life of Chris Kyle. As a retired military member, Kyle had been actively aiding fellow veterans in coping with mental struggles.
Eddie’s mother sought assistance from Kyle to handle her problematic son on the day of the tragic event. Together with Littlefield, they invited Eddie to join them at the secluded shooting range located at the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort, southwest of Dallas. Armed with various guns and bullets, they were met with a surprise as Eddie Ray Routh turned against them and opened fire.
In the course of the trial, it was revealed that Routh had consumed alcohol and marijuana the night before. He expressed feeling ignored by Kyle and Littlefield and claimed that the abundance of weapons in the car caused him to feel uneasy, leading him to believe that the men were plotting to harm him.
Kyle and Littlefield did not get the chance to defend themselves. Littlefield was attacked in his back, shoulder, head, and hand, receiving seven strikes. Similarly, Kyle was hit six times in the head, shoulder, chest, and right arm. Routh proceeded to take Kyle’s truck and return to his residence in Lancaster, Texas after killing both Kyle and Littlefield.
Eddie Ray Routh’s Trial
During that period, Eddie Ray Routh was experiencing intense emotional strain and firmly believed that Kyle and Littlefield were plotting to harm him. This belief stemmed from their lack of communication during the car ride to the shooting range, causing Routh to feel guilty and ultimately leading him to shoot them.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that he had shot Chris Kyle and his friend 13 times. His defense lawyers pleaded not guilty because of insanity, but the psychologists stated that although he suffered from a paranoid disorder, it was not enough to deem him legally insane. They also mentioned that his condition was exacerbated by his use of alcohol and cannabis.
Where is Eddie Ray Routh now?
Following careful consideration, the jury convicted him for the killings of Chris Kyle and Littlefield and imposed a life sentence with no chance of release. He remains alive and is currently incarcerated at the Louis C-Powledge Unit in Anderson County, Texas.
