breaking: florida man kills wife and wounds 13-year-old daughter after football dispute; later found dead in shed
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A Florida man killed his wife and shot his 13‑year‑old stepdaughter following an argument over watching a football game, authorities said. The suspect then died of a self‑inflicted gunshot wound in a shed on his father’s property as deputies closed in.
Jason Kenney,47,had been drinking while watching monday night Football in a shed in Highland City,just east of Tampa,until about 11 p.m. on dec. 22, according to Polk county Sheriff Grady Judd. He then went inside to continue watching the game in the living room where his wife, Crystal Kenney, was present, Judd added.
Crystal Kenney reportedly did not want to watch football, and the ensuing confrontation escalated. As the tension intensified, Crystal told their 12-year-old son to run to a neighbor’s house and call 911, Judd said.
As the boy fled, the first gunshot was heard. Deputies arriving at the scene found Crystal deceased inside the residence, her 13-year-old daughter shot in the face and shoulder, and Kenney had disappeared.The couple’s infant daughter was unharmed.
Judd said the 13‑year‑old later described how she begged for mercy: “Please don’t shoot me. Please don’t shoot me.” The girl survived after the bullet struck the bridge of her nose and deflected through the top of her head, the sheriff noted.
After the shootings, Kenney drove toward his late father’s home in Lake Wales and told his sister he had “done something very, very bad” and that they would not talk again. He was eventually located in a shed on the father’s property. When deputies called for him to come out, a single gunshot was heard, and he was found dead inside.
Authorities said relatives had described a history of abuse toward Crystal,though there were no prior domestic-violence records or charges against Kenney. A letter found in the room with Crystal’s body addressed to her husband referenced his drinking and cocaine use, writing, “You’re drinking, you’re using cocaine again. This is not the way the family should be. you need God.”
The tragedy struck three days before christmas, leaving deputies and the community shaken. “He absolutely destroyed a family,” Judd said, noting the scene of a home once bright with Christmas trees and presents now marred by violence.
Crystal Kenney’s 12-year-old son and the couple’s infant daughter are in the care of grandparents while Florida’s Department of Children and Families determines long‑term placement for the siblings. The sheriff urged those in crisis to seek help: call 911 or contact the 988 Lifeline for confidential support.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Jason Kenney, 47 |
| Location | |
| Date & time | Dec. 22, about 11 p.m. |
| Victims | Crystal Kenney (wife) killed; 13-year-old daughter shot; 12-year-old son unharmed; infant daughter unharmed |
| Suspect status | Found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot in a shed on his father’s property |
| Motivation/Context | Dispute over watching football; alcohol and alleged cocaine use noted in a letter |
| Authorities | Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd |
Evergreen context: Resources and prevention
Experts emphasize that early intervention and access to help can prevent tragedies.Individuals in crisis or facing domestic violence can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or chat online.The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides around‑the‑clock support for anyone in emotional distress or at risk of harm. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. Community programs and local officials repeatedly stress the importance of safety planning and seeking help before conflicts escalate.
The family relationships involved remain under the jurisdiction of local authorities as they determine long‑term arrangements for the children.
Reader engagement
What signs of escalating conflict should families recognize to prevent violence at home? In what ways can communities better support households at risk before a tragedy occurs?
Share yoru thoughts and experiences in the comments to help raise awareness and foster safer communities.
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