Family of victim in gun range death defends outing

View of some buildings on the property of Rough Creek Lodge photographed Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield were found murdered at the gun range on the property. (AP Photo/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Richard W. Rodriguez) / Richard Rodriguez

MIDLOTHIAN, Texas The man killed alongside a former Navy SEAL sniper at a Texas shooting range was helping his friend work with a troubled war veteran, and the outing was intended to be a "therapeutic situation," his relatives said Friday following his funeral.

Hundreds of people attended the service for Chad Littlefield, who along with his friend, "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle, was fatally shot last weekend. Authorities have said the former Marine they were trying to help suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and turned on the two men at the shooting range.

Littlefield's father-in-law, Tom Montgomery, defended the notion of helping troubled war veterans through target practice. He said Kyle regularly took veterans to the shooting range, and that Littlefield often assisted in efforts to help veterans.

• Chris Kyle Death: Photos seized from suspect Eddie Routh's phone may show ex-Navy SEAL before death
• Ex-Navy SEAL Chris Kyle murdered in Texas
• Cops: Photos may show Navy sniper before death

"As a gesture of friendship, that's the only way I can describe it, he was asked to help Chris in this endeavor," Montgomery said. "I think this was a form of relaxation, a form of therapy."

Police say the suspect, 25-year-old Eddie Ray Routh, shot Littlefield and Kyle multiple times on Feb. 2 before fleeing. He later told his sister and brother-in-law that the men "were out shooting target practice and he couldn't trust them so he killed them before they could kill him," according to a search warrant. Routh is jailed a $3 million bail.

The men could not have anticipated Routh's actions, Montgomery said, adding that Littlefield enjoyed assisting Kyle with his nonprofit, which provided in-home fitness equipment to physically and emotionally wounded veterans.

Kyle, 38, established the nonprofit after leaving the Navy in 2009 following four tours of duty in Iraq, where he earned a reputation as one of the military's most lethal snipers. His wartime account, "American Sniper," was a best-seller.

"I have to believe that Chris Kyle with all his military background and specialized training was quite capable of reading people," Montgomery said.

Hundreds turned out Friday to honor Littlefield at First Baptist Church in Midlothian, near Dallas. Although Littlefield wasn't a member of the military, Patriot Guard Riders led the procession as a tribute to his efforts on behalf of veterans and formed a ring around the parking lot and church entrance. Hundreds of other people lined local streets to watch the procession pass.

Littlefield, who had a 7-year-old daughter with his wife Leanne, was remembered for his bedrock character.

"He was a man of deep commitment and character," the Rev. Kenny Lowman said during the service.

Montgomery said Littlefield and Kyle bonded a few years ago as soccer dads watching their children play, and that their families occasionally vacationed together.

"People develop these ethics over a lifetime," he said. "I think Chad was the type of person who developed them and did what was right, even when no one was looking."

A memorial service for Kyle is planned for Monday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

[jstaro]

Said family, like the rest of the country and especially those that Fully supported what was done In Our Names, have yet to pay a dime as to both wars of choice, after cheering on the abandoning of the main missions for even sending the military into that region from the first drum beats pointed at Iraq!!
But having done so have yet to Sacrifice a Dime nor Demand to Sacrifice anything as to the long term results of those wars, DeJa-Vu all over again, for over a decade and counting added to the previous decades and wars of!!
And their son was along side another Vet of who decided by joining his own nightmares of what he was silently suffering from was to build himself up as the best of the best, snipers don't meet their targeted up close and on the battlefield, and was using those nightmares as his own therapy by continuing using the best of the best guns he could get his hands on and thought that was a good therapy for others!
They Both were making the shooters troubles even worse resulting in what happened on that gun range!!!!
USN All Shore '67-'71 GMG3 Vietnam In Country '70-'71

[MJBrennan01]

Your rant sounds a little crazy. Its quite simple, these guys were killers and they got killed by another killer. Irregardless of the particulars, these men shot and killed many people and died a violent senseless death.I am a veteran and support fully the second amendment and all constitutional guarantees. This is a clear cut case of not being as good as advertised,or you would still be here.

[demongirl60]

If you take away all the guns, then only the criminals will have guns.

[erasmus111]

That excuse is getting really OLD.

The less guns out there, the less chance of a criminal getting them.

Where I live, most people don't have guns, and most criminals don't have them either!

[erasmus111]

Nobodyhasthisname

Typical gun freak. Nothing intelligent ever comes out of your mouths.

And if anyone is whining, it's you guys. So afraid that your itty bitty guns will be taken away. Without your BACKBONE (guns), you'd all dissolve into a puddle. You would be whimpering fools.

[1988JAck]

The family should not have to be defending anything.

The only people who need to defend themselves are the foolish and crazy leaders of the NRA who think guns are the answer to everything.

[IraqCombatVetX2]

With all do respect for many of us even with PTSD getting some since of control back or just not feeling so helpless all the time does help and Owning a firearm and going target shooting can help fill that void. When I was in Iraq and surrounded by the possibility of death 24/7 for the year I was there at least I knew if attacked I had the training and the weapons to defend myself. Once I came home I still felt threatened all the time. It is a sign of PTSD called Hypervigilance. However I had no way of defending myself. I felt and feel helpless. I have been home since 2004 and I have not bought a firearm yet. But I have wanted one for a long time. Not to go off on anybody but just to know that I have something there. Also target shooting for me I feel would be therapy. I have PTSD pretty bad daily flashbacks, nightmares and I can not be around people very much anymore they annoy the crap out of me. However besides verbal rage I have never become violent towards others. PTSD is not a thing you can say is the same for every person and it also does not happen just to soldiers. If we were to take the gun rights away of all PTSD patients that would include Rape victims, victims of domestic violence and abuse as well as a host of other non military victims. In my opinion a person with PTSD should get certified by his Therapist as to whether or not it is a good idea for that person to possess a firearm. Some system where they can assess the threat to self or others. This of course would not be perfect but how many people out there have committed a murder with a firearm that do not have PTSD. Having PTSD does not mean automatically we are violent. But I system should be put in place to at least try and weed out the ones who could be.

[erasmus111]

IncrdblHulk replies:
Intelligent comment from informed reader with personal experience.


Are you kidding me?? This was far from being an intelligent comment.



IraqCombatVetX2


First off, you can't tell me that a person suffering from PTSD, caused by war, isn't going to be stressed from hearing gunfire. That's absolute bullcrap.


"However besides verbal rage I have never become violent towards others."

YET. If you are in a RAGE, you aren't far from that. And you just said that you can't be around people anymore because they annoy the crap out of you.

The last thing you need is a gun. All it would take is for you to go into a rage when someone was around, and if a gun was handy, you have no idea whether you might just grab that gun and shoot. You think you won't, but you don't know that for sure. You said yourself that you are having daily flashbacks and nightmares. You must be tired and not really in control. Why would you take the chance?

Now, I hate to say this, but if you have PTSD, and going through what you're going through, I consider you mentally unstable, and are the last person who should own a gun.

"If we were to take the gun rights away of all PTSD patients that would include Rape victims, victims of domestic violence and abuse as well as a host of other non military victims."

Yes. That is how it should be. No one with PTSD should be able to own a gun. They are mentally unstable and who knows what they will do the moment they get scared or angry.

I'll tell you a little story. I live in Canada, and one of your citizens came to visit. Him and his wife were walking around in a park and two guys approached them. They asked them if they had been to the Stampede yet. The American citizen then went for his gun, which he didn't have because he was in Canada. He thought they were being AGGRESSIVE. They were just two friendly Canadians wanting to give him free tickets to the Stampede! Those guys would have been DEAD.

Now this was just one of your so-called NORMAL American citizens, never mind someone with PTSD.

Basically, all gun freaks are mentally unstable and should be the last ones owning a gun.

[grumpas]

This is the second time weapon were used as 'therapy'!!! When a troubled person with problems is involved a gun is the last thing I would use for therapy. This makes literally no common sense to me.

[IraqCombatVetX2]

With all do respect for many of us even with PTSD getting some since of control back or just not feeling so helpless all the time does help and Owning a firearm and going target shooting can help fill that void. When I was in Iraq and surrounded by the possibility of death 24/7 for the year I was there at least I knew if attacked I had the training and the weapons to defend myself. Once I came home I still felt threatened all the time. It is a sign of PTSD called Hypervigilance. However I had no way of defending myself. I felt and feel helpless. I have been home since 2004 and I have not bought a firearm yet. But I have wanted one for a long time. Not to go off on anybody but just to know that I have something there. Also target shooting for me I feel would be therapy. I have PTSD pretty bad daily flashbacks, nightmares and I can not be around people very much anymore they annoy the crap out of me. However besides verbal rage I have never become violent towards others. PTSD is not a thing you can say is the same for every person and it also does not happen just to soldiers. If we were to take the gun rights away of all PTSD patients that would include Rape victims, victims of domestic violence and abuse as well as a host of other non military victims. In my opinion a person with PTSD should get certified by his Therapist as to whether or not it is a good idea for that person to possess a firearm. Some system where they can assess the threat to self or others. This of course would not be perfect but how many people out there have committed a murder with a firearm that do not have PTSD. Having PTSD does not mean automatically we are violent. But I system should be put in place to at least try and weed out the ones who could be.

[well_I_say]

First of all, Iraqvet, thank you for your service. I am sorry for all the bad feelings you have had since returning from duty. I am sure you are not alone in this and it probably would be good therapy to talk with others who are also going through this. However, owning a gun when you have feelings of annoyance toward others may just give you the impedance to shoot someone who pushes one of your buttons too hard. Therapists are famously terrible at predicting who will or will not snap so I would advise you (who sounds like a reasonable and descent fellow) to look really hard at yourself. If you think there is even a remote possibility that having a gun could be a liability for you then stay away from them.

[Jonseen]

The killer admitted to his sister that "he sold his soul for a truck", indicating that he killed the two men because he wanted their truck (which he stole after he killed them.) The excuse that he felt threatened is a buncha baloney in my opinion.

This is a terrible tragedy. I'm very sorry for the families.

[markfromdover]

F*** all you disrespectful haters! It is because of MEN like Chris Kyle that you enjoy your freedom. And Chad Littlefield is also a hero! How many of you have ever served in the military? How many of you have ever served your fellow man?

[skeezix06]

It isn't hate to point out that taking someone with PTSD to a gun range is not a good decision. As was said below fishing, no loud noises just peace and quiet, would have been a much better choice if there was such a thing with Routh; someone who appears to have had as severe mental health problems.

[shurch4truth]

Mark.... Nobody is talking hate, just wanting to point out ways to prevent this from happening again.

Chris Kyle is a American hero and maybe more so for what he did after is military service...the guy really cared. Nobody would argue with that.

[tvwatcher5345]

they should have gone fishing instead

[Woodworkerwaynew]

Traumatized vets frequently go through the full gamut of emotions, often exacerbated by medications that they are prescribed. Displays can run the full spectrum from tearful sadness to violent outbursts of raw frustration to sheer bliss.

Were his "threats" serious, reflective of intent ? Or, simply angry outbursts with zero real malice behind them ?

As a step-dad to one who has been struggling now for over 6 years since his discharge, we have seen it all. The VA makes a fairly good attempt to help these guys (and gals), but, as they are not around them 24/7, they cannot possibly be aware of all the day-to-day details of their struggles. Many of the medications they prescribe alter the moods and perceptions of the soldiers dramatically as well. A little too high a dose = delusions, paranoia, fear.....

Personally, while I wouldn't wish this on anyone, I DO wish ALL of the politicians that make the war / no-war decisions would have to live with what the military sends home for a year or two. It MIGHT change their view of these people from just "pawns" in their war games to "human beings".

[erasmus111]

"The men could not have anticipated Routh's actions..."


Really? I mean REALLY?!! I could have sworn I read that back in September?, he was in a psych ward or something and he had threatened to kill himself and his family.

I mean, what the hell does it take for people to pay attention?

[erasmus111]

And if he's willing to kill his FAMILY, then why not these two guys??

Damn, I don't know how much STUPID I can take!

[gregorio57]

You seem to have taken in and absorbed a large amount of stupid.