Poppy Bilderbeck
Lucy Harrison, 23, was shot dead while staying with her father in Texas after an alleged argument about US President Donald Trump.
In January last year, Lucy Harrison was staying with her father, Kris Harrison, at his family home in Prosper, Texas. The 23-year-old fashion buyer from Warrington, Cheshire, in the UK, made the trip with her boyfriend, Sam Littler.
On January 10, 2024, the day the pair were due to fly home, Lucy was shot dead.
During an inquest which took place in Cheshire Coroner's Court, Littler has since alleged that shortly before her fatal shooting, Lucy had been 'having quite a big argument' with Kris.
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And the pair were reportedly arguing about US President Donald Trump, Sky News reports.
Littler alleged the pair often disagreed over certain political differences, such as gun ownership. On the day of Lucy's death, however, Littler says the pair argued about Trump.
Within the argument, he says Lucy questioned Kris about how he would feel if she were sexually assaulted. Kris allegedly replied he wouldn't be that upset, reportedly referring to having two other daughters living with him.
Littler recalled Lucy and Kris' argument on the day of her death, prompting Lucy to 'run upstairs' as a result of her 'upset'.
However, Littler then claims Kris took Lucy by her hand to his bedroom on the ground floor of the house.
Around 15 seconds later, Littler said he heard a loud bang and Kris shouting for his wife.
He said: "I remember running into the room and Lucy was lying on the floor near the entrance to the bathroom, and Kris was just screaming, just sort of nonsense."
In June last year, a grand jury resolved that no one would be prosecuted over Lucy's death, declining to indict Kris.
Kris is reported as admitting to the court that he 'briefly lapsed' in his alcohol addiction on the day of Lucy's shooting as he was emotional about her leaving, according to the BBC.
His statement claimed he and his daughter had been watching a news report on gun crime and he'd offered to show her his semi-automatic handgun in his room and as he 'lifted the gun to show her' he 'suddenly heard a loud bang' and 'did not understand what had happened'.
Kris did not attend the hearing, but his solicitors issued a statement in which he detailed 'fully accept[ing] the consequences of [his] actions'.
His statement continued: "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."
While reflecting, he 'cannot undo what happened,' he said he 'can honour Lucy by being the best father [he] can be to her sisters and by carrying her memory forward in everything [they] do'.
"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," he concluded.
Lucy's mother, Jane Coates, has since spoken out, paying tribute to her daughter.
Reflecting on how much her daughter 'cared' and was 'passionate about things,' having 'debates about things that meant a lot to her,' the mom resolved Lucy as being a 'real force of life'.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].