LAKELAND, Fla. — A tragic incident involving a teenage girl has emerged as she recounts her harrowing experience after surviving a brutal shooting in her home. The 13-year-old girl was shot in the face by her stepfather, who subsequently took his own life following the fatal shooting of her mother. This disturbing event unfolded during a domestic dispute, reportedly sparked by a disagreement over what to watch on television.
Authorities have identified the victims as 38-year-old Crystal Kenney and her 47-year-old husband, Jason Kenney. The altercation escalated on the night of December 22, when Crystal refused to change the channel from a rerun of “Percy Jackson” to the live broadcast of “Monday Night Football.” The teenager, who has chosen not to disclose her name and whose face has been blurred in media appearances, detailed her pleas for mercy during the confrontation.
“I kept repeating, ‘Please don’t shoot me, please don’t shoot me,’” she explained, describing the moments of terror that led up to the violence. According to deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the family dynamic has been marred by troubling incidents, with a note reportedly found in the home revealing earlier concerns about Jason’s behaviors, including substance abuse.
Witnesses contributed to the timeline of events. A 12-year-old boy ran to a neighbor’s house to call 911 after hearing a gunshot. In an emotional recounting, the boy described seeing his mother urging him to seek help amid the escalating argument. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Crystal deceased from a gunshot wound to the head and found the girl injured, suffering two gunshot wounds—one to her face and another to her shoulder.
As the investigation progressed, authorities learned that Jason had fled to a nearby property belonging to his deceased father. He reportedly informed his sister that he had “done something really bad” before succumbing to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In a press briefing, Sheriff Grady Judd commented on the shocking nature of the crime, noting that Jason’s ultimate action was disturbingly the only commendable act that night. In a pointed remark, he stated, “The only thing he did right that night was shoot himself after those horrible deeds.”
Additionally, the couple’s one-year-old baby girl was found unharmed, sleeping in her crib amid the chaos. In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist Crystal’s three children, highlighting the community’s desire to support them through this devastating time.
Local authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, which stands as a sobering reminder of the potential for domestic disputes to escalate into violence. The impact of this event will undoubtedly resonate within the community, calling for discussion surrounding mental health, family conflicts, and substance abuse interventions.