British Woman Unlawfully Killed by Father in Texas, Coroner Rules
A British woman who was shot dead by her father while visiting him at his home in Texas has been ruled as unlawfully killed by a coroner. Lucy Harrison, a 23-year-old fashion buyer from Warrington, Cheshire, died in January 2025 during a trip to see her father, Kris Harrison, in Prosper, Texas.
Coroner Finds Father's Actions Reckless
Senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish concluded the inquest into Ms Harrison's death on Wednesday, stating that the father's actions were reckless. She emphasized that shooting his daughter through the chest while she was standing would have required him to point the gun at her without checking for bullets and pulling the trigger.
The coroner determined that Ms Harrison died due to unlawful killing on the grounds of gross negligence manslaughter. She described the victim as young, vibrant, and beautiful with her whole life ahead of her, calling it a most tragic death.
Dispute Over Donald Trump Preceded Shooting
The inquest heard that Lucy Harrison had argued with her father about Donald Trump on the morning of January 10, 2025, the same day she was shot. About half an hour before they were expected to leave for the airport to return to the UK, Mr Harrison took his daughter by the hand and led her to his ground-floor bedroom.
Mr Harrison kept a Glock semi-automatic handgun in his bedside cabinet. Approximately fifteen seconds later, a loud bang was heard, and Mr Harrison began screaming for his wife, Heather. Lucy Harrison was found lying on the floor near the bathroom entrance.
Father's Statement and Legal Context
Kris Harrison, described to the court as a functioning alcoholic, claimed the gun had gone off accidentally. He did not attend the two-day inquest hearing but provided a statement through his solicitors. Mr Harrison stated that he bought the gun to give his family a sense of security, and under Texas laws for home defense, he did not need a license.
In his statement, Mr Harrison said, I fully accept the consequences of my actions. He added that he cannot undo what happened but can honor Lucy by being the best father he can be to her sisters and carrying her memory forward. He expressed deep sorrow for the pain others feel from this tragedy.
Family's Response and Criticism of Gun Laws
Speaking outside the court in Warrington, Lucy Harrison's mother, Jane Coates, said the verdict has finally given Luce her voice back after an unrelenting year of deep shock, grief, and fight. She stated that her daughter was failed by Texan gun laws and decisions made by the Prosper police department.
Ms Coates added that although the family is satisfied with the coroner's conclusion, there is much to be learned from Lucy's needless and entirely avoidable death. The inquest also revealed that a grand jury in the US determined there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone in connection with Ms Harrison's death.
Background and Legal Proceedings
The inquest heard that Mr Harrison had previously been to rehab for alcohol addiction. His representative, Ana Samuel, argued that the hearing was more akin to a criminal investigation than a fact-finding inquiry. Lucy Harrison's boyfriend, Sam Littler, who was on the trip with her, testified that she often became upset with her father when he spoke about his gun ownership.
Mr Littler recalled running into the room after hearing the bang and finding Lucy on the floor while Mr Harrison screamed nonsense. The coroner's ruling highlights the tragic consequences of the incident, underscoring issues related to gun safety and family dynamics.
