Florida Mom Killed Protecting Kids After NFL Fight
If you live anywhere near Florida’s Gulf Coast, the name Crystal Roure has probably been echoing across news feeds this week for a heartbreaking reason.
Crystal, a 38-year-old mom from Highland City, died last month after a Monday Night Football argument and shooting turned deadly inside her home.
You may have seen this being labeled by the press as the Highland City, Florida shooting.
Her loss has left a close-knit community reeling, even as her final act, begging her son to get help, is being remembered as heroic.
Mom Killed Protecting Kids as Husband Opens Fire After NFL Game, Police Say
Police say Crystal Roure was killed protecting her children. She was trying to keep her kids safe when the violence unfolded on Dec. 22, 2025, just days before Christmas.
Deputies were called to her Highland City home after reports that her husband, 47-year-old Jason Kenney, had opened fire following an escalating argument.
According to law enforcement officials, Jason had been watching football, a Monday night matchup, in a shed on the property when he came inside and confronted Crystal over what to watch on TV.
The couple reportedly argued about switching programs so he could see the end of the game.
When the situation turned violent, Crystal told her 12-year-old son to run to a neighbor’s house and call 911, a decision that likely saved his life.
Moments later, deputies found Crystal with a fatal gunshot wound and her 13-year-old daughter critically injured. Their infant sister was found unharmed in her crib.
A Murder-Suicide That Shook a Community
After the shooting, Jason fled the scene and later died by suicide inside a shed on his late father’s property.
Law enforcement officials confirmed the circumstances as a Jason Kenney murder suicide, the result of a domestic altercation that dramatically spiraled out of control.
At a news briefing, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described the scene as devastating, especially given its proximity to the holiday season and the innocence lost inside a home that was filled with Christmas decorations.
The Terrifying Aftermath
Crystal’s daughter survived her injuries, albeit critically, after a bullet struck her in the face and miraculously deflected upward.
Her son’s quick thinking in running to get help is being credited with saving at least one life that night.
In the days since, family members have been sharing their grief with the world.
Crystal’s sister, Stephanie, told reporters that Crystal died a hero for protecting her children, and that the family is trying to focus on helping them heal now.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by her sister has begun raising funds to assist Crystal’s three children, now living with their maternal grandmother, as they recover from the trauma and loss.
A Tragic Reminder
This Florida domestic violence tragedy is one of many recent cases where an argument at home turned into a deadly shooting, reminding families and communities alike of the critical need for support and intervention before violence overtakes the situation.
If you or someone you know is living with fear or escalating conflict at home, help is available.
You can call or text 988 for immediate emotional support, or reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or thehotline.org for chat support.
Local shelters, community centers, and faith groups can also help connect families to safety planning, counseling, and emergency housing.
Reaching out can feel hard, but it can also be the first step toward a safer future for everyone involved.
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