Florida mother killed shielding children after husband erupts over Monday Night Football; sheriff calls it a “nuclear family” destroyed in Highland City domestic shooting
Crystal Roure, 38, was fatally shot Dec. 22, 2025, in Highland City by husband Jason Kenney, 47, after a dispute over watching Monday Night Football; deputies say Roure shielded children before the incident became a murder–suicide.
Key takeaways
- Fatal shooting and apparent suicide: Crystal Roure, 38, was killed in the home; husband Jason Kenney, 47, later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after fleeing the scene.
- Children present: A 13-year-old girl was shot twice and survived; a 12-year-old ran for help; a 1-year-old infant was found unharmed in a crib.
- Argument over football: The dispute reportedly began when Roure asked Kenney to turn down Monday Night Football, escalating after he had been drinking in a shed on the property.
- Warning signs: Investigators found an undated letter from Roure raising concerns about drinking and cocaine use; relatives described ongoing abuse despite no prior official domestic calls.
- Documentation and memorialization: Roure is listed on the National Gun Violence Memorial.
Incident and immediate aftermath
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office timeline shared with reporters, Jason Kenney had been drinking while watching the football game in an on-property shed. He entered the home around 11 p.m. to watch the end of the game; Crystal Roure told him she did not want to watch and a fight erupted.
Deputies found Roure dead in the living room from a gunshot wound to the head, while the 13‑year‑old — described as Kenney’s stepdaughter — was shot twice in bed and survived, reportedly begging, “don’t shoot me.”
A 12‑year‑old boy was told by Roure to run to a neighbor to call 911 and heard a single gunshot as he fled. A 1‑year‑old infant was located unharmed in a crib. Law enforcement treated the event as a Polk County murder–suicide after Kenney fled and later died of a self-inflicted head wound on property in Lake Wales formerly owned by his father.
(Primary source: Fox News summary of Polk County Sheriff’s Office statement.)
Victims and family
Victim: Crystal Roure, 38, was found shot in the living room and did not survive.
Suspect: Jason Kenney, 47, had been watching the game and reportedly drinking before entering the house; he later contacted his sister saying he had “done something really bad and he was not going to jail” and then died by an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Children: The 13‑year‑old girl was shot twice and survived; the 12‑year‑old boy sought help after Roure told him to run to a neighbor; the 1‑year‑old was found safe.
Relatives described Roure as a protective mother who ordered her son to get help and attempted to shield the children during the confrontation. Roure’s sister, Stephanie Roure, called Crystal a hero for her actions.
Signals of abuse and investigation details
Investigators recovered an undated letter Roure had written to Kenney that warned his drinking and cocaine use were harming the family and implored him to seek help: “This is not the way a family should be. You need God.” Relatives recounted repeated episodes of abuse and fear within the household even though arrest records and law enforcement logs reportedly showed no prior domestic calls.
This discrepancy between family accounts and official records is a recognized pattern in many domestic violence cases, highlighting private warnings that may not reach authorities.
Following the shooting, Kenney fled and drove to a property in Lake Wales once owned by his father. Deputies located him after another gunshot was heard; he died from an apparent self‑inflicted head wound. Polk County investigators treated the sequence as a murder–suicide beginning in Highland City and ending at the Lake Wales property.
(Reporting and timeline summarized from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office statement as presented in Fox News.)
Community context and memorialization
Sheriff Grady Judd described the scene as a “nuclear family” destroyed during the holiday season, with Christmas decorations and presents still in the home. Responders and relatives emphasized the visible tragedy of a family struggling behind closed doors.
Roure’s name has been added to the National Gun Violence Memorial, which catalogs victims and dates to help communities track the human toll of firearms-related deaths.
Sports radio reporting and corroboration
Local sports radio reporting corroborated that Roure asked Kenney to turn down the football volume and that tensions rose as the game concluded. That account aligns with the sheriff’s timeline and underscores how a seemingly small domestic dispute over a game’s volume escalated into violence.
(Additional reporting: iHeartRadio 1360 Sports.)
Implications for Huntington Beach, California
Economic: High-profile domestic killings can pressure local leaders to review funding for emergency services, victim support programs and school‑based mental health services.
Political: The case may stoke local debates about law enforcement, substance abuse treatment, firearm safety, and the coordination of social services.
Social and cultural: With children present and a mother reportedly shielding them, community groups, schools and faith‑based organizations may increase outreach, counseling, and education on conflict de‑escalation and substance‑abuse recovery.
Practical steps for residents:
- Be alert to warning signs even when no formal police record exists (letters, increased drinking, family reports).
- Support shelters, hotlines and counseling programs and advocate for clear school plans for trauma-exposed students.
- Promote community education on de‑escalation, responsible alcohol use and safe firearm storage.
- Encourage balanced conversations on safety options that respect lawful gun ownership while protecting families.
Sources and further reading
This account is based on the Polk County Sheriff’s Office statement and family interviews as summarized by local and national media. Primary and corroborating sources include:
- Fox News — Polk County Sheriff’s Office summary: “Mom killed shielding kids after husband erupts in rage over NFL game, police.”
- iHeartRadio 1360 Sports — Sports radio reporting corroborating the dispute over game volume.
- National Gun Violence Memorial — Memorial listing for Crystal Roure (Dec. 22, 2025).
Reporting based on the Polk County Sheriff’s Office statement and family interviews as summarized in local and national media.
