Photo: Cappi Thompson / Moment / Getty Images
Polk County, FL - A domestic dispute inside a Florida home turned deadly late Monday when an argument over a televised football game escalated into a fatal shooting.
According to investigators, a Polk County man allegedly shot and killed his wife and wounded his teenage stepdaughter following a heated argument that began over a Monday Night Football broadcast.
The incident occurred shortly before 11 p.m. at a residence in the Highland City area near Lakeland.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect and his wife began arguing after she suggested turning off the football game.
Investigators said the disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation.
During the dispute, the woman instructed her 12-year-old son to call 911.
The boy ran to a neighbor’s home to place the call and reported hearing gunshots moments later.
Deputies responding to the scene found the woman deceased from a gunshot wound.
Her 13-year-old daughter was discovered inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
The couple’s 1-year-old child was also inside the home but was not injured.
Investigators said the suspect fled the scene and was later located at a nearby family property.
Deputies attempted to make contact, but a single gunshot was heard.
The suspect was found dead from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound.
Sheriff officials said alcohol may have played a role in the incident.
A note was also recovered at the home that referenced concerns about substance use.
The surviving children are now in the care of relatives as the investigation continues.