Family Condemns US Police Failures After Father Shoots British Daughter in Trump Dispute
The family of a British woman has strongly criticised US police and gun laws, stating that systemic failures contributed to her tragic death after she was shot by her father in Texas following a heated argument about Donald Trump. Lucy Harrison, a 23-year-old fashion buyer for Boohoo, was fatally shot in the chest by her father, Kris Harrison, during a visit to his home in Prosper, Texas, approximately 37 miles north of Dallas.
Coroner's Verdict and Family's Anguish
At Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington, Coroner Jacqueline Devonish concluded that Lucy died due to unlawful killing on the grounds of gross negligence manslaughter. The ruling brought tears to family members as they heard the details of the case. Speaking outside the court, Lucy's mother, Jane Coates, expressed a mix of relief and ongoing grief, stating that the outcome had finally given her daughter a voice after a year of profound shock and relentless fight for justice.
Ms Coates emphasised that Lucy had been "failed" by lax gun laws in Texas and by decisions made by police in Prosper. She added that while the family is satisfied with the coroner's conclusion, there are critical lessons to be learned from Lucy's entirely avoidable death, which she described as needless and heartbreaking.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The inquest heard that Lucy and her boyfriend, Sam Littler, had travelled to Texas to stay with her father following Donald Trump's election victory. On January 10 of last year, an argument erupted over Trump, who was due to be inaugurated as president later that month. According to Mr Littler's testimony, about half an hour before they were scheduled to leave for the airport, Mr Harrison took his daughter by the hand from the kitchen to his ground-floor bedroom.
In the bedroom, Mr Harrison kept a Glock semi-automatic handgun in his bedside cabinet. He claimed in a statement that he had purchased the weapon to provide his family with a sense of security and, because it was for home defence, Texas laws did not require him to have a licence. He alleged that Lucy asked to see the gun, having never previously discussed his gun ownership with him.
However, evidence presented at the inquest indicated that Lucy was aware her father had a weapon in the home and disagreed with its presence. Mr Harrison, who admitted to drinking wine earlier that day, stated that as he lifted the gun to show her, he suddenly heard a loud bang and did not understand what had happened, with Lucy immediately falling. He reportedly told police at the scene, "We got it out to have a look and just as I picked it up it just went off."
Coroner's Findings on Recklessness and Police Response
Coroner Devonish found that Mr Harrison's actions were reckless, noting that to shoot Lucy through the chest while she was standing would have required him to point the gun at his daughter without checking for bullets and then pull the trigger. She also highlighted that Mr Harrison did not immediately inform Mr Littler, who called 911, that he was the one who shot Lucy, despite knowing full well he had shot his own daughter.
The coroner pointed out that with a bullet through her heart, Lucy's prognosis was poor regardless, but the delay in information compounded the tragedy. Additionally, the inquest revealed that police in Texas failed to test Mr Harrison for alcohol, despite suspecting he had been drinking after smelling alcohol on his breath. This oversight occurred even though a grand jury in the US had previously determined there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone in connection with Lucy's death.
Broader Implications and Family's Call for Change
Concluding the inquest, Coroner Devonish described Lucy as young, vibrant, and beautiful, with her whole life ahead of her, marking her death as a most tragic event. The family's statements underscore broader concerns about gun control and police procedures in the US, particularly in states like Texas with permissive gun laws. The Mirror has contacted the Prosper Police Department for comment, but responses are pending as the family continues to advocate for systemic changes to prevent similar incidents.
This case highlights the devastating consequences of political disagreements escalating into violence, coupled with alleged failures in law enforcement and regulatory frameworks. The family's ordeal serves as a poignant reminder of the need for stricter gun safety measures and more rigorous police protocols to protect lives in both domestic and international contexts.
