'A weight I'll carry for life': How a British woman was shot dead by father in Texas after argument over Trump

Lucy was struck in the chest by a bullet fired from a Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun owned by her father, Kris Harrison. She died at the scene.

Lucy Harrison, 23, was fatally shot by her father in Texas after an argument about Donald Trump. Conflicting accounts were given at the inquest. The father was not indicted, but expressed remorse and acknowledged alcohol issues. The case remains under scrutiny.

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A British woman was shot dead by her own father during a visit to the United States, following an argument earlier in the day over Donald Trump, an inquest has heard.

Lucy Harrison, 23, from Warrington in England, was killed on January 10 at her father’s home in Prosper, Texas. She had been visiting him with her boyfriend, Sam Littler, during the holiday season.

Lucy was struck in the chest by a bullet fired from a Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun owned by her father, Kris Harrison. She died at the scene.

What happened that day

Lucy had flown to the US from Heathrow Airport to spend time with her father and his family. According to testimony given at an inquest held at Cheshire Coroner’s Court, tensions rose earlier in the day after she argued with her father about Donald Trump, who was preparing for his second presidential inauguration at the time.

Sam Littler told the court that Lucy often became upset when her father spoke about guns. On the day of the incident, the argument intensified when Lucy asked her father how he would feel if she were sexually assaulted. Littler said Kris Harrison responded that he had two other daughters living with him, so he would not be upset that much.

Littler said the remark deeply upset Lucy.

About half an hour before Lucy and Littler were due to leave for the airport, Kris Harrison took Lucy by the hand and led her into his bedroom. Around 15 seconds later, Littler said he heard a loud bang.

Speaking to reporters, Littler said he rushed into the room and found Lucy lying on the floor, while her father was screaming incoherently.

Father gives a different account

Kris Harrison did not attend the inquest but provided a written statement offering a different version of events.

He claimed he had been watching news coverage on gun crime and mentioned to Lucy that he owned a firearm. He said he asked her if she wanted to see it, after which they went into the bedroom where the gun was kept in a bedside cabinet.

According to his statement, as he lifted the Glock handgun to show her, he heard a loud bang and Lucy immediately collapsed. He said he could not remember whether his finger was on the trigger.

Harrison also acknowledged a history of alcohol problems. He claimed he had “briefly lapsed” on the day of Lucy’s death because he was emotional about her leaving. Evidence presented at the inquest stated that Officer Luciana Escalera smelled alcohol on his breath when she arrived at the scene.

Legal outcome so far

An inquest into Lucy Harrison’s death was opened as a potential manslaughter case. However, a grand jury in Collin County, Texas, later decided not to indict Kris Harrison.

The investigation remains under public scrutiny due to the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the conflicting accounts.

Harrison issues apology

Through his solicitors, Kris Harrison issued a statement expressing remorse for his daughter’s death.

“I fully accept the consequences of my actions, and there isn’t a day I don’t feel the weight of that loss - a weight I will carry for the rest of my life, and I know that nothing I say can ease the heartbreak this tragedy has caused.”

According to Sky News, Harrison said he could not undo what had happened but hoped to honour Lucy by being a better father to her sisters.

“I am deeply sorry for the pain others feel from this tragedy. Lucy’s spirit - her warmth, her humour, her kindness - will live on in all of us who loved her.”