Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Lakeland, Florida — A tragic domestic incident in Polk County this past week ended in a murder‑suicide after a heated argument over a televised Monday Night Football game turned deadly, authorities said. The violence, which occurred on December 22, 2025, just days before Christmas, left a wife dead, her 13‑year‑old stepdaughter critically injured, and the husband dead by his own hand.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 47‑year‑old Jason Kenney was watching a National Football League matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts with his wife, Crystal Kenney, when a dispute erupted late in the evening. Investigators said the argument escalated after Crystal asked Kenney to turn off the game, and that alcohol consumption may have played a role in inflaming tempers.
Deputies responding to a frantic 911 call from inside the home found Crystal Kenney shot dead in the living room, with multiple gunshot wounds. In a nearby bedroom, their 13‑year‑old stepdaughter was discovered with two gunshot wounds — to her face and shoulder. She was rushed to a local hospital and pronounced in critical but stable condition, with doctors describing her survival as exceptional given the nature of her injuries.
A young stepson and the couple’s one‑year‑old daughter were home at the time of the shooting. While the baby was found unharmed in her crib, the 12‑year‑old boy fled the house and ran to a neighbour’s home to summon help as gunfire rang out, according to statements from law enforcement.
After the shootings, Kenney fled the scene in his vehicle and made a distressing phone call to his sister, in which he reportedly admitted that he had done something terrible and indicated he did not plan to face arrest. Deputies later located him hiding in a shed at his late father’s property in Lake Wales, where he died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound before police could take him into custody.
A handwritten note found in the home — reportedly penned by Crystal Kenney — urged her husband to seek help for ongoing struggles with alcohol and substance use, highlighting longstanding personal difficulties within the family. Although local media reported no prior documented domestic violence calls at the residence, relatives and detectives suggested that underlying tensions may have contributed to the escalation.
Community reaction to the incident has been one of shock and sorrow, particularly as the tragedy unfolded during the holiday season when families gather to celebrate. Authorities have emphasised the devastating toll of domestic disputes that escalate into violence, underscoring the importance of early intervention, mental health support, and conflict resolution resources.
The surviving stepdaughter continues to receive medical care, and her condition remains the central concern for local responders. Sheriff Grady Judd, in public remarks, called the episode a heartbreaking example of how quickly everyday disagreements — compounded by substance use and access to firearms — can lead to irreversible consequences for families and communities alike.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the case remains under review and that support is being extended to family members affected by the tragedy. Meanwhile, public safety advocates are renewing calls for resources to address domestic violence, alcohol abuse and crisis intervention, particularly during high‑stress times of year such as the festive season.
In the wake of the shootings, local authorities are also urging families and community members to be vigilant about warning signs of domestic strife and to seek help from law enforcement or support organisations if conflict begins to escalate.
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