Lakeland, Florida, December 27, 2025
A domestic dispute over an NFL game led to a tragic shooting in Lakeland, Florida, resulting in the death of Crystal Kenney and severe injuries to her stepdaughter. Jason Kenney fatally shot his wife and critically wounded his 13-year-old stepdaughter before taking his own life. Witness accounts reveal that the altercation escalated due to alcohol consumption and prior domestic violence issues. The incident emphasizes the urgent need for addressing substance abuse and domestic violence within families.
Lakeland, Florida – December 27, 2025
Tragic Shooting Over NFL Game Argument
Jason Kenney, 47, fatally shot his wife, Crystal Kenney, and critically wounded his 13-year-old stepdaughter before taking his own life following a dispute over an NFL game on December 22, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida.
Details of the Incident
The tragic altercation began when Crystal Kenney suggested her husband turn off the Monday Night Football game featuring the San Francisco 49ers against the Indianapolis Colts. Officials reported that Jason Kenney had been drinking prior to the argument. Crystal instructed her 12-year-old son to call 911 during the showdown. The boy managed to escape to a neighbor’s home, where he later heard gunfire. Upon the deputies’ arrival to the home, they found Crystal Kenney deceased, while her 13-year-old daughter suffered critical gunshot wounds to the face and shoulder. The girl was transported to the hospital where she underwent treatment for her injuries, later telling investigators she pleaded with Jason Kenney not to shoot her. After the shooting, Kenney fled and called a relative confiding that he had “done something bad.” Authorities traced him to his deceased father’s residence in Lake Wales, where he ultimately took his own life inside a shed as officers attempted negotiations. Sheriff Grady Judd noted that relatives indicated a handwritten note from Crystal had urged her husband to seek help concerning his alcohol and drug abuse history. Although it was reported that Kenney had a history of physical abuse toward his wife, there had been no previous domestic violence calls made from their household. Fortunately, the couple’s other children, including their 12-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter, were unharmed and are now under the care of their grandparents. Officials referred to the survival of the teenager as a “Christmas miracle.”
Background Information
This incident accentuates the potential for domestic disputes to escalate into tragic violence, particularly when alcohol plays a role. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the significance of seeking help for substance abuse and the need to address domestic violence concerns effectively within families.
Related Incidents
This tragic instance is not isolated, as similar cases have occurred in the past. For example, the 2021 Rock Hill shooting in South Carolina saw former NFL player Phillip Adams kill six individuals before taking his own life.
FAQs
What led to the tragic shooting in Lakeland, Florida?
The incident occurred after Jason Kenney, 47, fatally shot his wife, Crystal Kenney, and critically wounded his 13-year-old stepdaughter following a dispute over an NFL game on December 22, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida.
What was the cause of the argument that led to the shooting?
The altercation began when Crystal Kenney suggested her husband turn off the Monday Night Football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts. Authorities reported that Jason Kenney had been drinking during the argument.
What happened to the children during the incident?
The couple’s other children, including the 12-year-old boy and a one-year-old daughter the couple shared, were unharmed. The surviving children are now in the care of their grandparents.
Has there been a history of domestic violence in the family?
Relatives told deputies that Kenney had a history of physically abusing his wife, though no prior domestic violence calls had been reported from the home.
What is the current status of the surviving stepdaughter?
The 13-year-old stepdaughter was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but survived and later told investigators she begged Kenney not to shoot her.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Lakeland, Florida |
| Date | December 22, 2025 |
| Perpetrator | Jason Kenney, 47 |
| Victims | Crystal Kenney (wife, deceased), 13-year-old stepdaughter (injured) |
| Cause of Argument | Dispute over NFL game broadcast |
| Substance Involvement | Alcohol consumption by perpetrator |
| Outcome | Perpetrator committed suicide; surviving children unharmed |
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