Ran Paul issued a statement sending prayers to Chris Kyle's family. | AP Photos Rand Paul: Slain sniper 'was a hero'

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Monday showed his support for the family of former U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, who was killed Saturday at a shooting range, coming after Paul’s father, former Rep. Ron Paul, sent a controversial tweet about his death.

Authorities charged Eddie Ray Routh, 25, with the murder of Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield, during the weekend. The men were at a Texas shooting range, which Kyle used to help some veterans cope with post-traumatic stress disorder.


Rand Paul issued a statement Monday to Breitbart News saying: “Chris Kyle was a hero like all Americans who don the uniform to defend our country. Our prayers are with his family during this tragic time.”

Earlier Monday, Ron Paul, who is also a former Republican presidential candidate, tweeted:

Chris Kyle’s death seems to confirm that “he who lives by the sword dies by the sword.” Treating PTSD at a firing range doesn’t make sense— Ron Paul (@RonPaul) February 4, 2013

Ron Paul elaborated on his tweet in a Facebook message he posted later Monday. In the post, he wrote: “As a veteran, I certainly recognize that this weekend’s violence and killing of Chris Kyle were a tragic and sad event. My condolences and prayers go out to Mr. Kyle’s family.”

( PHOTOS: Ron Paul's career)

Paul continued: “Unconstitutional and unnecessary wars have endless unintended consequences. A policy of non-violence, as Christ preached, would have prevented this and similar tragedies.”