Highland City, Florida — A central Florida community is mourning a mother described as a hero after authorities say she was shot and killed while shielding her children during a violent domestic incident sparked by an argument over an NFL game just days before Christmas.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Jason Kenney, 47, fatally shot his wife, Crystal Roure, 38, before later taking his own life. The shooting left one of the couple’s children seriously injured and two others physically unharmed but deeply traumatized.
Argument Escalates Late at Night
Investigators say the incident unfolded late on December 22, 2025, inside the family’s home in Highland City.
Kenney had reportedly been drinking while watching Monday Night Football in a shed on the property before returning inside around 11 p.m. to watch the end of the game.
Once inside, an argument broke out after Roure said she did not want to watch football, according to deputies. The disagreement quickly escalated into violence.
Mother Acts to Save Her Children
As the confrontation intensified, Roure yelled for her 12-year-old son to run to a neighbor’s home and call 911, authorities said. The boy fled the house and heard a single gunshot as he ran.
When deputies arrived, they found Roure dead in the living room from a gunshot wound to the head.
Her 13-year-old daughter was discovered in her bedroom suffering from two gunshot wounds, while the couple’s 1-year-old child was found asleep in her crib and unharmed.
“She begged him not to shoot her, and he shot her anyway,” said Grady Judd, recounting the teen’s statement to investigators.
Teen Survives Despite Severe Injuries
The sheriff said the teenage girl survived after a bullet struck her nose and ricocheted through the top of her head, narrowly missing fatal areas.
She was rushed for medical treatment and survived what authorities described as a remarkable outcome given the severity of the injuries.
Disturbing Letter Found Inside the Home
During the investigation, deputies discovered an undated letter written by Roure to her husband that raised further concerns about his behavior.
In the letter, Roure reportedly wrote:
“You’re drinking, you’re using cocaine again. This is not the way a family should be. You need God.”
Sheriff Judd said family members later told investigators that Kenney had been abusing Roure for some time, though authorities had no prior domestic violence reports on file involving the couple.
Suspect Flees, Later Takes His Own Life
After shooting his wife and stepdaughter, Kenney fled the scene in his truck and called his sister, authorities said.
According to investigators, he told her he had “done something really bad” and that he was “not going to jail,” adding that she would “see it on the news.”
Kenney then drove to his deceased father’s property in Lake Wales, where officers later found him inside a shed.
When deputies ordered him to come out, they heard a single gunshot. Kenney was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, officials said.
Sheriff: “He Absolutely Destroyed a Family”
Sheriff Judd described a heartbreaking scene inside the family’s home.
“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 said. “He absolutely destroyed a family.”
Despite the lack of prior police calls, Judd emphasized that domestic violence often goes unreported, and warning signs can be missed.
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Family Remembers Mother as a Hero
Roure’s sister, Stephanie Roure, said her sister had hoped Kenney would seek help for his drinking but that promise was never fulfilled.
“My sister died a hero for protecting her children,” she said. “She saved their lives, and by doing so my nephew saved his sister’s life.”
Relatives say Roure’s actions — ordering her son to escape and call for help — were critical in preventing even greater loss.
A Stark Reminder About Domestic Violence
Authorities say the case highlights how quickly domestic disputes can turn deadly, especially when alcohol, substance abuse, and firearms are involved.
Law enforcement officials urge anyone experiencing domestic abuse to seek help, even if prior incidents seem minor.
If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, help is available through local resources and national hotlines.
What steps do you think communities and families can take to better recognize and respond to warning signs of domestic violence? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
