Highland City mom killed protecting children after husband erupts in rage over NFL game, deputies say
Crystal Roure, a Highland City mother, was tragically killed December 22, 2025, shielding her children during an escalating domestic dispute over an NFL game; deputies say suspect Jason Kenney later died from an apparent self-inflicted wound.
- Key takeaways:
- Crystal Roure was fatally shot while protecting her children; a teenage daughter was wounded but survived.
- Suspect Jason Kenney fled the scene and was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.
- A 12-year-old son ran for help and called 911, likely saving his sister’s life; a 1-year-old was unharmed.
Key information
- Victim: Crystal Roure, killed December 22, 2025, at the family home in Highland City, Florida. (Source: Source)
- Suspect: Jason Kenney, 47, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot after fleeing the scene. (Source: Source)
- Motive reported: Altercation began after an argument over watching an NFL game; Kenney had been drinking while watching Monday Night Football in a shed and came inside to watch the end of the game. (Source: Source)
- Children: A 13-year-old daughter wounded and alive; a 12-year-old son who ran for help and called 911; a 1-year-old found unharmed. (Source: Source)
How the shooting unfolded
Timeline: Police say the confrontation began late on Dec. 22 at the Roure–Kenney family home in Highland City. Kenney was inside a shed watching Monday Night Football and had been drinking. He came into the house around 11 p.m. to watch the end of the game, and a fight erupted when Roure told him she did not want to watch football, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. (Source: Source)
Investigators report the argument escalated quickly. Roure told her 12-year-old son to run to a neighbor’s house and call 911. As he fled, the boy heard a single gunshot. Deputies who responded found Roure in the living room with a gunshot wound to the head. Her 13-year-old daughter was discovered in her bed with two gunshot wounds. The infant, a 1-year-old, was asleep in her crib and was not injured. (Source: Source)
Victims and immediate response
Sheriff’s account: Sheriff Grady Judd described the scene as heartbreaking, noting the family home still had seasonal decorations, including a decorated Christmas tree and presents. Deputies rendered aid and secured the scene before launching a search for Kenney. (Source: Source)
“My sister died a hero for protecting her children and getting my nephew out of the house to make the 911 call,” said Stephanie Roure, Crystal’s sister.
The teenage daughter survived after hospital treatment. Sheriff Judd relayed the teen’s account: she said she begged Kenney, “Don’t shoot me, don’t shoot me, don’t shoot me,” and that he shot her anyway. The 12-year-old’s call for help was credited with getting emergency services to the home quickly and likely saving lives. (Source: Source)
Suspect’s actions and death
After the shootings, Kenney left the home in his truck. He later called his sister and told her he “had done something really bad and he was not going to jail,” saying she would “see it on the news,” according to investigators. Police tracked Kenney to his deceased father’s property in Lake Wales. He entered a shed there. When officers ordered him out, they heard a single gunshot. Kenney was found inside the shed dead from an apparent self-inflicted wound to the head. (Source: Source)
Background, warning signs and family perspective
Relatives told investigators Kenney had been abusive toward Roure for some time, though deputies report no prior domestic violence calls on record involving the couple. Kenney had no criminal history, according to officials. (Source: Source)
Police found a letter Roure had written to Kenney that warned of substance use and urged him to seek help. In an undated note recovered by investigators, Roure wrote: “You’re drinking, you’re using cocaine again. This is not the way a family should be. You need God.” Family members said Kenney had promised to stop and get help but did not keep those promises. (Source: Source)
Family perspective: Stephanie Roure called her sister a hero for directing her son to safety: “She saved their lives and by doing so my nephew saved his sister’s life, and thank God the baby was untouched.” (Source: Source)
Investigative gaps and questions
Public reports leave unanswered questions investigators typically follow up on in domestic homicide cases:
- Past warning signs: Were there past complaints, medical visits, or family reports that did not rise to police calls but signaled escalating danger? Relatives say abuse happened “for a while,” yet deputies report no prior calls on record. (Source: Source)
- Substance use: What role did substance use play in the lead-up to the violence? The letter cited by police references drinking and alleged cocaine use. (Source: Source)
- Intervention opportunities: Were there missed opportunities for intervention from extended family, friends, faith leaders, workplace supervisors or neighbors? First responders and prosecutors will review timeline and contacts as part of a broader inquiry. (Source: Source)
Legal and public-safety implications
The case highlights challenges law enforcement faces in preventing domestic violence when incidents go unreported and warning signs remain within families. For prosecutors and policy makers, the facts raise questions about outreach, reporting systems, and resources for families dealing with substance abuse and domestic abuse.
Sheriff Judd emphasized the jarring contrast between the holiday setting and the violence that unfolded, underscoring the need for improved coordination between police, courts, and social services to catch warning signs sooner.
Implications for Paso Robles, California
Economic impact: Violent domestic incidents put pressure on local services in small and mid-size communities. Paso Robles may see increased demand for counseling, victim advocacy, and social services if neighbors or family members face similar crises.
Political consequences: For conservative audiences that value law and order, the case may prompt calls for stronger enforcement and programs supporting early intervention, substance-abuse treatment, and domestic-violence prevention.
Social effects & cultural relevance: Communities that prize family and faith will find this case painful. Crystal Roure’s actions — directing her son to safety — will likely be viewed as an act of courage and sacrifice that local leaders and faith groups may honor.
Practical applications for residents
- Review and practice family safety plans, including escape routes and neighbor contacts.
- Know how and when to report suspected domestic abuse; non-emergency hotlines and local police can guide next steps.
- Support local victim services and faith-based recovery programs that help families dealing with substance use.
- If you suspect someone is in immediate danger, call 911; if unsure, contact local social services or a clergy member to help make a report.
Sources
Primary reporting in this article is based on the Polk County Sheriff’s Office statement and reporting by Times Media Service, with details compiled from local authorities. For more information: For more information
