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A mother of three was tragically killed, and her teenage daughter was critically injured in a horrific Christmas shooting over a television remote control.
Authorities have disclosed that 47-year-old Jason Kenney took his own life following the shocking incident that occurred during a televised NFL game on Monday, just days before Christmas.
Jason Kenney, 47, fatally shot his wife, Crystal Kenney, and injured his 13-year-old stepdaughter during a dispute over the television while watching an NFL game.Credit: Facebook
The mother instructed her 12-year-old son to run to the neighbor’s house to call 911 during the argument, and as he fled, gunshots were fired.Credit: Facebook
Kenney, a resident of Polk County, Florida, shot and killed his wife Crystal Kenney and his 13-year-old stepdaughter on December 22 before turning the gun on himself, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.
During the altercation, Crystal’s 12-year-old son ran from the home, following his mother's directive to seek help from the neighbors.
As he escaped the property, gunfire erupted.
The couple’s one-year-old daughter was found unharmed and asleep in her crib.
The late-night argument was ignited when Crystal objected to Jason continuing to watch the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts inside their home.
According to the Polk County Sheriff, Jason had been drinking and initially watched the game in a shed away from the house but returned inside for the final moments.
When confronted by his wife about the television, the argument escalated, prompting Crystal to instruct her son to seek help from neighbors.
Police arrived after the 12-year-old reported hearing gunfire, and they discovered Crystal deceased inside the house with a gunshot wound to the head.
They later found her daughter severely injured in a bedroom, suffering from two gunshot wounds, one to her face and another to her shoulder.
“She said, ‘I begged him, don’t shoot me, don’t shoot me, don’t shoot me, and he shot me anyway,’” Sheriff Judd recounted during a police briefing, recalling the girl's words.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated that Jason ‘destroyed a family’ that night and called it a miracle that Crystal’s 13-year-old daughter survived.Credit: Polk County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff noted that the girl's survival from this traumatic incident is “a Christmas miracle” as one of the bullets struck the bridge of her nose and exited through the top of her head.
She is currently in critical but stable condition at the hospital.
After the incident, officers located Kenney, who had fled to his father's residence and locked himself in a shed.
During the drive there, he called his sister and confessed, “he had done something very, very bad,” according to Sheriff Judd.
Jason further told his sister that “the next time you see me will be on the news.”
Crystal had pleaded with her husband to seek help for his addiction issues, as evidenced by a note found at the property.Credit: Facebook
Once surrounded by law enforcement in the shed, Jason took his own life with his firearm.
A search of the family home uncovered personal struggles, including a note from Crystal urging her husband to seek help for his addiction issues.
“You’re drinking, you’re using cocaine again. This is not the way the family should be. You need God,” the note stated.
The three children have been placed in the care of Crystal’s parents.
“He just absolutely destroyed a family,” Sheriff Judd expressed.
“Our homicide detectives are heartbroken. Just three days before Christmas, he shot and killed his wife, shot his 13-year-old stepdaughter twice, and intended to kill her.
“Upon entering the home, there was a beautiful Christmas tree adorned with numerous presents beneath it, just as a typical family should have.
“The only correct action he took that night was ending his own life.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with any of the issues raised in this story, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org , or text
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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