Just days before Christmas, a Florida home became the site of unimaginable tragedy, a brutal act of violence sparked by a football game and fueled by alcohol. Crystal Roure, a 38-year-old mother, made the ultimate sacrifice, protecting her children from a horrifying rampage.
The evening began with Jason Kenney, 47, engrossed in an NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts. As the 49ers secured a victory, a simple request from his wife – to turn off the television – ignited a terrifying chain of events.
The argument escalated with frightening speed. By 11 p.m., the disagreement had become intensely heated, according to Sheriff Grady Judd. In a moment of desperate courage, Crystal Roure directed her 12-year-old son to flee to a neighbor’s house and call for help, a decision her family believes saved multiple lives.
As the boy ran, a gunshot shattered the night. Deputies arriving at the Lakeland home discovered Crystal Roure deceased. Her 13-year-old stepdaughter lay critically wounded, a bullet having struck her face, miraculously ricocheting and sparing her life. The couple’s infant daughter slept peacefully, unaware of the horror unfolding around her.
Kenney fled the scene, seeking refuge at his late father’s home. There, he made a chilling phone call to his sister, confessing to a “very, very bad” act and declaring he would avoid imprisonment. When authorities arrived, a single gunshot rang out from a shed on the property.
Behind closed doors, a darker reality existed. Deputies revealed Kenney battled with substance abuse and a history of violence. A heartbreaking note, reportedly penned by Crystal Roure, pleaded with him to confront his demons: “You know you’re drinking, you’re using cocaine again… You need God.”
Her sister, Stephanie Roure, shared that Crystal had held onto hope for his recovery, believing he would seek help. Sadly, those hopes were never realized. Despite the devastating outcome, Kenney had no prior criminal record, making the tragedy all the more senseless.
Sheriff Judd described a scene of heartbreaking contrast: a beautifully decorated Christmas tree laden with gifts, a symbol of family joy, juxtaposed with the brutal reality of the violence. Now, three children are left to navigate a future without their mother, finding solace with their grandparents.
Crystal Roure is remembered as a loving and devoted mother, her life tragically cut short. Her final act of bravery, sending her son for help, stands as a testament to her unwavering love and protection of her children.
