UK Woman Shot Dead by Father in US: Inquest

A 23-year-old British woman was shot dead by her father in the United States following a heated argument, a UK inquest has heard.

Lucy Harrison, from Warrington in Cheshire, was visiting her father, Kris Harrison, in Texas when the incident occurred on January 10, 2025. Details emerged during proceedings at Cheshire Coroner’s Court.

According to evidence presented at the inquest, Lucy had travelled to the US with her partner for a holiday. The court heard that there was a “big argument” between Lucy and her father on the morning of the shooting, reportedly about US politics and President Donald Trump.

Lucy’s partner told the court that tensions escalated during the discussion. He said Lucy became upset and went upstairs following the exchange.

Later that day, shortly before they were due to leave for the airport, Lucy was in the kitchen when her father took her into a ground-floor bedroom. Moments later, a loud bang was heard.

Her partner told the inquest that he ran into the room and found Lucy lying on the floor. He said Kris Harrison was shouting for help.

In a statement submitted to the court, Kris Harrison said he and his daughter had been watching a news item about gun crime when he mentioned owning a firearm and asked if she wanted to see it.

He told the court that he retrieved a Glock 9mm handgun from his bedside table. He said that as he lifted the gun to show her, it discharged. He stated that he could not recall whether his finger was on the trigger at the time.

Kris Harrison said he had purchased the firearm a few years earlier for what he described as family security.

The inquest also heard that he had previously undergone rehabilitation for alcohol addiction. In his statement, he acknowledged that he had relapsed on the day of the incident and consumed around 500ml of white wine.

Through his solicitors, he said he fully accepted the consequences of his actions and described the loss as something he would carry for the rest of his life.

The inquest has been adjourned and is expected to resume, when the coroner will deliver conclusions.

The proceedings aim to establish the circumstances surrounding Lucy Harrison’s death.