Today is Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021.

On this day in 2013, ex-marine Eddie Routh shot and killed former Navy SEAL,

Chris Kyle, and his friend Chad Littlefield.

Chris Kyle was the subject of the 2014 film American Sniper.

Welcome to Today in True Crime, a Spotify original from Parcast. Due to the graphic nature of today's crimes,

listener discretion is advised. Extreme caution is advised for listeners under 13.

Today we're covering the tragic murders of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield at a gun range in North Texas.

Let's go back to the morning of February 2nd, 2013. 38-year-old Chris Kyle drove slowly through the woods.

His friend, 35-year-old Chad Littlefield, sat shotgun.

Chris and Chad had first met during one of their

daughter's soccer games. The men bonded over their mutual love of fitness and firearms.

But Chad never hoped to match his friend's skill as a marksman. Chris had spent four tours

in Iraq as a U.S. Navy SEAL.

His tours of duty earned him numerous nicknames, including The Devil of Ramadi and The Legend,

as well as a reputation as the deadliest sniper in American history.

After being honorably discharged in 2009, Chris struggled to transition back to civilian life.

Initially, he turned to drinking to cope.

But after totaling an SUV and getting arrested for drunk driving, he made changes to his lifestyle.

He found renewed purpose by serving fellow veterans, especially those wrestling with mental health issues.

That day in February 2013, Chris and Chad were on their way to pick up a 25-year-old

ex-marine named Eddie Ralph.

Eddie's mother, Jody, had approached Chris a few days earlier.

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