A Florida man shot and killed his wife, and shot his 13-year-old daughter, while watching a football game, before shooting himself, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred during the Monday Night Football game on Monday, December 22, just three days before Christmas.
“As you know, anytime you report on a murder it’s a sad situation,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd during a news conference. “It is hugely sad when it’s around Christmas. And what I’m about to describe to you is even 10 times worse.”
Jason Kenney, 47, was reportedly drinking and watching the football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts in his shed near Tampa, when he decided to watch the end of the game inside his home.
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According to Judd, Kenney’s wife, Crystal, was home at the time. She did not want to watch the football game, leading to an argument between her and Jason.
As the fight intensified, Crystal reportedly told her 12-year-old son to run to a neighbor’s house and call 911.
Judd said the son heard the first gunshot after he left his house. Responding officers found Crystal dead in her home and her 13-year-old daughter shot in the face and shoulder.
The daughter survived her gunshot wound, Judd said, as the bullet hit the bridge of her nose and went through the top of her head. She was taken to a hospital where she was listed in critical but stable condition, Judd said.
“The 13-year-old girl begged not to be shot – ‘Please don’t shoot me. Please don’t shoot me,’” Judd alleged. “And he shot her twice.”
The couple also shared an infant daughter, who was unharmed in the incident.
Jason reportedly drove in his truck to his late father’s home in Lake Wales and called his sister. He told her he had “done something very, very bad,” and that it was the last time they would talk to each other, Judd said.
Soon after, Jason was found dead in his father’s shed by local deputies who were on the scene. Authorities said that when the officers called for Jason to come out of the shed, they reportedly heard a gunshot coming from inside, then found his body.
According to police, a relative alleged to authorities that Jason had been beating Crystal “for a while,” although Judd said Jason had no prior criminal record.
While searching the crime scene, deputies found a letter written by Crystal to Jason. She wrote, “You’re drinking, you’re using cocaine again. This is not the way the family should be. You need God.”
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“He absolutely destroyed a family,” Judd said. “Our homicide detectives are distraught. When you go in there, there is a beautiful Christmas tree with lots of Christmas presents under the tree, just like the nuclear family should be … and it ends up this way.”
Judd then encouraged anyone to call 911 and ask for help.
“How does an argument over a television program end up with a murder, an attempted murder and a suicide?” he said. “It should never happen. Call for help … Don’t hurt yourself, don’t hurt a loved one.”
Judd said Crystal’s 12-year-old son and the infant daughter are in the care of their grandparents. Florida’s Department of Children and Families is currently determining their long-term placement.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
