A 13-year-old Florida girl’s miraculous survival after being shot in the face by her drunk stepfather during an NFL game argument exposes the devastating consequences of unchecked domestic violence and substance abuse in American families.
Story Highlights
- Jason Kenney murdered his wife Crystal and shot his 13-year-old stepdaughter over turning off Monday Night Football
- The girl survived gunshot wounds to her shoulder and face, now recovering in critical but stable condition
- Crystal had written a prophetic note warning about Kenney’s drinking and cocaine use before the December 22 attack
- Three surviving children are now in their grandparents’ custody after the family was “absolutely destroyed”
Alcohol-Fueled Violence Destroys Florida Family
Jason Kenney’s intoxicated rage over a trivial sports dispute escalated into unthinkable violence on December 22, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida. The 47-year-old stepfather fatally shot his wife Crystal after she suggested turning off the Monday Night Football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts. When Crystal’s 13-year-old daughter begged “don’t shoot me,” Kenney callously fired, striking her in the shoulder and face. This tragic incident demonstrates how alcohol abuse can transform ordinary family moments into deadly encounters.
Warning Signs Ignored Before Christmas Tragedy
Crystal Kenney had documented her husband’s dangerous spiral in a handwritten note discovered after the shooting. She warned about his drinking problem and cocaine relapse, urging him to seek God and change his destructive behavior. Neighbors reported previous instances of abuse, yet no prior police calls were made to the residence. This breakdown in intervention systems allowed a volatile situation to fester until it exploded into murder. The failure to address these red flags cost Crystal her life and traumatized three innocent children.
The timing of this violence—just three days before Christmas with presents still wrapped under the tree—adds particular cruelty to an already horrific crime. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described how Kenney “absolutely destroyed a family” and left children without their mother during the holiday season. The 12-year-old son escaped to call 911 from a neighbor’s house while his baby sister slept unaware in her crib.
Stepfather’s Cowardly Flight and Suicide
After committing these heinous acts, Kenney fled to his father’s property in Lake Wales, calling his sister in New York to confess he had “done something really bad.” When deputies located him and ordered him to exit the shed where he was hiding, the coward took his own life rather than face justice. His suicide denied the family closure and left critical questions unanswered about what drove him to such extreme violence over something as trivial as a football game.
Sheriff Judd revealed that even seasoned detectives were emotionally distraught after investigating this case. The senseless nature of the violence—triggered by a request to turn off a television—highlights how substance abuse can destroy rational thinking and family bonds. Kenney’s actions represent the worst kind of domestic tyranny, where a man’s entertainment took precedence over his family’s safety and well-being.
Miraculous Survival Amid Family Destruction
The 13-year-old victim’s survival after being shot in the face represents what authorities are calling a Christmas miracle. Despite critical injuries, she remains in stable condition and is expected to recover physically, though the psychological trauma will likely last a lifetime. Her courage in the face of terror—pleading not to be shot—demonstrates the innocence that was shattered by her stepfather’s selfish rage. The three surviving children are now in their grandparents’ custody, beginning the long process of healing from this unimaginable trauma.
Sources:
Man Kills Wife, Shoots Stepdaughter Over NFL Game Argument
