Key facts
- Lucy Harrison, 23, was fatally shot by her father, Kris Harrison, in Texas on January 10, 2025.
- Kris Harrison admitted holding the pistol at the time of the shooting.
- A Texas grand jury declined to prosecute Kris Harrison.
- A UK coroner ruled Lucy Harrison's death an unlawful killing amounting to gross negligence manslaughter.
- Lucy's mother, Jane Coates, has written to UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband requesting intervention.
- The case involves concerns about the adequacy of the initial police investigation in Texas.
The mother of a British woman who was fatally shot by her father in Texas is appealing to the UK's Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, to pressure US authorities to reopen the investigation. Lucy Harrison, 23, was killed on January 10, 2025, the day before she was due to return to the UK. Her father, Kris Harrison, admitted holding the pistol but has not been arrested, and a Texas grand jury decided not to prosecute him. Lucy's family has described the initial police investigation as "inadequate."
Following a UK inquest, the senior coroner for Cheshire ruled that Lucy had been unlawfully killed and that her father's actions constituted gross negligence manslaughter. Jane Coates, Lucy's mother, has written to Miliband, acknowledging the UK government's inability to directly interfere in the US justice system but urging the use of diplomatic channels to highlight the coroner's findings and request a review of the case.
Several UK politicians, including former justice secretary Robert Buckland, are supporting the call for Miliband to intervene. Buckland stated that the case must be reopened in the US and that the government should pursue justice for the grieving family. The inquest heard that Kris Harrison had purchased a pistol two years prior to the shooting. Texas law does not require gun owners over 21 to obtain training or a license. Bodycam footage showed Kris Harrison telling police he shot his daughter. The inquest also heard that Lucy had expressed concerns to friends about her siblings being in the house with the firearm. While an argument about Donald Trump occurred hours before the shooting, Lucy's family maintains this was not the cause. Despite officers smelling alcohol on Harrison's breath, he was not breathalysed. Authorities stated they could not arrest Harrison as they could not prove intent, despite him acknowledging the gun only discharges if the trigger is pressed.
Sarah Hall, the Labour MP for Warrington South, has also raised the case in Parliament and is calling for the Foreign Office to address the support provided to the family after Lucy's death. Jane Coates expressed disappointment with the previous administration's response, noting a lack of meaningful action to help them seek justice, and has found renewed hope with the current government under Andy Burnham, citing the Prime Minister's emphasis on action.