Florida Man Fatally Shoots Wife After Football Dispute, Kills Self

A tragic incident unfolded in Polk County, Florida, where a man shot his wife and stepdaughter after a dispute over a football game, before ultimately taking his own life. The event escalated three days before Christmas, casting a shadow over the holiday season.

Details of the Incident

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 47-year-old Jason Kenney had been watching a San Francisco 49ers game against the Indianapolis Colts in his shed. When he attempted to shift the viewing to the living room, his wife, Crystal Kenney, expressed disinterest, triggering a heated argument.

911 Call and Immediate Aftermath

• During the altercation, Crystal instructed her 12-year-old son to call 911.
• As he exited to seek help, he heard a gunshot.

Responding deputies arrived in under five minutes. They discovered Crystal Kenney dead, shot in the head. The grim scene worsened when they found her 13-year-old daughter wounded with gunshot injuries to the shoulder and face.

The Victims

• Crystal Kenney, age: unspecified, deceased.
• Stepdaughter, age: 13, critically injured but in stable condition.
• Step-son, age: 12, unharmed.
• Biological child, age: 1, unharmed.

Investigators noted that Jason had intended to kill his stepdaughter but did not harm his biological child, who was in a crib.

Aftermath and Investigation

After the shooting, Jason fled to a property owned by his deceased father in Lake Wales. In a concerning phone call to his sister in New York, he admitted to committing a grave act and assured her she would see it on the news.

Tragic Conclusion

When law enforcement officials arrived at Jason’s location, they heard a gunshot. Upon entering, they found him deceased, having shot himself.

Family Dynamics and Prior Issues

A note found in the couple’s home indicated prior tensions. It suggested that Crystal was aware of Jason’s struggles with substance abuse and was urging him to seek help.

While family members reported past abuse, there had been no formal complaints or prior arrests related to domestic violence.

Reflection on Domestic Violence

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the tragic nature of the situation, especially occurring just before Christmas. He remarked that the only action Jason Kenney took correctly that evening was to end his own life.

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potentially devastating consequences of domestic disputes, making awareness and prevention efforts crucial in similar situations.