A coroner’s inquest in the United Kingdom has heard testimony regarding the death of Lucy Harrison, a 23-year-old fashion buyer from Warrington, Cheshire, who was fatally shot by her father in Prosper, Texas. The incident, which occurred on January 10, 2025, followed a heated dispute between the two concerning former U.S. President Donald Trump and gun control measures.
Ms. Harrison had been visiting her father, Kris Harrison, at his home in the United States with her boyfriend, Sam Littler, during the holiday season. The inquest at Cheshire Coroner’s Court was told that tensions had risen during the trip, culminating in an argument on the day the couple was scheduled to return to the UK.
According to testimony provided by Mr. Littler, the disagreement centered on Mr. Harrison’s support for Donald Trump, who was preparing for his inauguration at the time of the incident. The court heard that the conversation escalated when Ms. Harrison questioned her father about his stance on sexual assault allegations, asking how he would feel if she were a victim. Witnesses described Mr. Harrison’s response to the question as “cold,” reportedly stating that it would not upset him significantly.
Shortly after the exchange, Mr. Harrison allegedly led his daughter into a ground-floor bedroom. Mr. Littler testified that he heard a loud bang moments later. Upon entering the room, he found Ms. Harrison with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. Emergency services were called to the scene, but Ms. Harrison was pronounced dead.
The inquest heard that Mr. Harrison, who moved to the U.S. when his daughter was a child, had a history of alcohol addiction. Police reports read at the hearing indicated that officers at the scene detected the smell of alcohol on his breath. In a statement provided to the court, Mr. Harrison claimed he did not recall pulling the trigger, stating, “As I lifted the gun to show her, I suddenly heard a loud bang. I did not understand what had happened.”
Despite the circumstances, a grand jury in Collin County, Texas, declined to indict Mr. Harrison on criminal charges, and the local police investigation into possible manslaughter was closed without prosecution. Mr. Harrison did not attend the inquest in the UK, but in a statement issued through his solicitors, he expressed remorse, saying he carries the weight of the loss daily.
Ms. Harrison’s mother, Jane Coates, paid tribute to her daughter during the proceedings, describing her as a “force of life” who was passionate about her beliefs and unafraid to engage in debate. The coroner is expected to record a conclusion based on the evidence presented regarding the cause and manner of death.
