Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced on 23/12 that the girl is in stable condition, conscious, and able to speak. The 13-year-old recounted trying to stop her stepfather, Jason, by pleading with him not to kill her, but "he shot anyway". The incident occurred just before midnight on 22/12 in Lakeland, Florida, after Jason shot Crystal, the girl's mother, and then died by suicide.

The tragic events began when Jason, after drinking all evening and watching football in a backyard shed, returned to the main house. He argued with Crystal over control of the television. As the dispute escalated, Crystal instructed her 12-year-old son to run to a neighbor's house to call 911. As the boy exited the home, he heard gunshots.

Police arrived within five minutes, finding Crystal deceased from a gunshot wound to the head. In a bedroom, officers discovered Crystal's 13-year-old daughter, shot twice in the shoulder and face. Sheriff Judd explained, "We later learned the bullet that struck the girl's face hit the bridge of her nose, traveled straight up, and exited the top of her head. It was a Christmas miracle". A third child, Crystal and Jason's one-year-old daughter, was found unharmed, sleeping in her crib.

Jason fled the scene in his truck before police arrived. He drove to his late father's house in Lake Wales and barricaded himself in the shed. En route, he contacted his sister, stating he had done "something very bad" and "the next time you see me, it will be on the news". Police tracked him to the Lake Wales residence. As they surrounded the shed, a gunshot was heard from inside, and Jason was later confirmed to have died by suicide.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd holds a photo of Jason Kenney during a press conference on 23/12. Photo: NewsNation

Sheriff Judd lamented, "He completely destroyed a family, not to mention the mental health of two children who lost their mother and father just three days before Christmas". Detectives at the scene were heartbroken to find a beautiful Christmas tree adorned with many gifts. Neighbors reported prior instances of Jason's violent behavior, though the sheriff's office had no record of previous calls. Jason had no criminal record. Police also found a note Crystal had written to Jason, saying: "You're drinking again, using cocaine again, a family shouldn't be like this".

The three children, including Crystal's two children from a previous relationship, are now orphans. They are currently being cared for by their maternal grandparents.

By Tue Anh (Sources: People, Independent)