Wondering about Eddie Ray Routh’s situation? Well, back in February 2013, this guy with PTSD unfortunately shot down Chris Kyle, the sniper extraordinaire. Now, if you’re keeping up with this rollercoaster, you know that filmmakers love turning real-life craziness into movies. “American Sniper” is one of those, based on Chris Kyle’s wild memoir. Directed by Clint Eastwood and scripted by Jason Hall, the movie is a wild ride through Kyle’s life. But hold up, what’s the deal with his shooter, Eddie Ray Routh? In this article, we shall take a deeper look at the story. It is tragic for sure.
Who is He?
Born on September 30, 1987, in Lancaster, Texas, Eddie Ray Routh is now 34 years old. His parents are Raymond Ray Routh Sr. and Jodi Routh, and he has a sister named Laura Bess Routh. After finishing high school, he joined the Marine Corps and was later deployed to a base near Baghdad in 2007. There, he worked as a prison guard and repaired weapons. Eddie also participated in a humanitarian mission in Haiti. His seven-year service in the Marine Corps concluded with his discharge in July 2011. Nobody had any idea how he would turn out to be.
The PTSD Angle
After leaving the Marine Corps, Routh faced challenges. Within a year, his life took a downturn. Struggling to hold a job, he displayed erratic behaviour, had panic attacks, and voiced delusional thoughts. Experiencing auditory hallucinations, he even made threats of self-harm. Concerned, his family confiscated his guns. In July 2011, Routh was admitted to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dallas, where he received a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Doctors prescribed various antipsychotic and anti-anxiety medications, but Eddie declined the inpatient treatment and stopped taking the prescribed drugs after his discharge.
The Shooting Incident
On February 2, 2013, the world received the shocking news of a shooting near Chalk Mountain in Texas. To everyone’s surprise, Routh was the one behind the incident that claimed the life of Chris Kyle. Kyle, a retired military veteran, was actively assisting fellow veterans with mental health challenges. On that fateful day, Routh’s mother sought Kyle’s help for her troubled son. Kyle and Littlefield invited Routh to join them at a remote shooting range at the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort, southwest of Dallas, armed with pistols, rifles, and ammunition. However, upon reaching the range, Routh turned on them and opened fire.
Where is he now?
Having reached a verdict, the jury declared Routh guilty of the murders of Chris Kyle and Littlefield, handing down a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Is Routh still alive? Yes, he is alive and currently serving his sentence at the Louis C Powledge Unit in Anderson County, Texas. Interestingly, a film depicting Routh’s story was already playing in Stephenville theatres when his murder trial commenced on February 11, 2014. In the film, Vincent Selhorst-Jones portrayed Routh, while Bradley Cooper took on the role of Chris Kyle.
Conclusion
Within the intricate web of real-life tales, the saga of Eddie Ray Routh and Chris Kyle paints a vivid picture of the dire repercussions of neglected mental health challenges. Routh’s tragic spiral into violence highlights the urgency of acknowledging and tackling the hurdles confronted by individuals grappling with PTSD. The aftermath, where Routh now serves a life sentence, stands out as a stark reminder of the profound impact mental health can wield on individuals and their surroundings. They hang onto us for help. And we must help them. To the best of our ability. It will only help us. We must think of it.
Also read: How Did Jeffrey Dahmer Die? The Tragic End of a Serial Killer
