Young woman shot dead by father during argument over Trump

In a shocking incident near Prosper, Texas, a young British woman was fatally shot by her father following a heated argument over former President Donald Trump. Lucy Harrison, 23, who held UK citizenship and resided in Warrington, Cheshire, was visiting her father in the United States when the tragedy occurred, according to BBC reports.

The incident took place on 10 January, shortly before Trump’s second presidential inauguration. Harrison, who had been staying at her father Chris Harrison’s home, was reportedly discussing Trump’s upcoming inauguration when tensions escalated.

According to statements made during a coroner’s court hearing in Cheshire, Lucy’s boyfriend, Sam Littler, described the argument as intense. He said that Lucy’s father frequently discussed firearms at home, which had made her increasingly uncomfortable. During the morning altercation, Lucy reportedly asked her father, “How would you feel if I were in the position of a girl who had been sexually assaulted?” Chris Harrison allegedly replied that he had two other daughters, implying the issue did not deeply concern him. Distressed by the response, Lucy retreated upstairs.

Later that day, approximately thirty minutes before she was scheduled to leave for the airport, Lucy was in the kitchen when her father allegedly led her to a bedroom. A loud gunshot was heard about fifteen seconds later. Chris Harrison reportedly called for his wife immediately afterwards. When Littler entered the room, he found Lucy collapsed near the bathroom door while Chris Harrison appeared in a state of panic.

Chris Harrison has claimed in court that the shooting was accidental. In a statement, he said that he and Lucy had been watching a news segment about firearms when he retrieved a Glock 9mm from a cabinet beside the bed to show her. He stated that he could not recall whether his finger was on the trigger or how the weapon discharged. Harrison also disclosed that he had purchased the gun years earlier for family safety, had a history of alcohol rehabilitation, and had consumed nearly 500ml of white wine on the day of the incident.

Authorities initially treated the case as a potential manslaughter. However, the Collin County Grand Jury declined to press criminal charges against Chris Harrison, meaning no formal prosecution followed.

Police officer Luciana Escalera testified that upon arriving at the scene, she detected the smell of alcohol on Harrison’s breath. CCTV footage confirmed that he had purchased two 500ml bottles of Chardonnay from a local 7-Eleven shortly before the shooting.

During court proceedings, Harrison’s defence team accused the coroner of bias and requested their recusal, but Coroner Jacqueline Devonish rejected the motion. Lucy’s mother, Jane Quetts, described her daughter as caring and intellectually engaged, with a passion for debate on important matters.

Incident Summary

The case has drawn international attention due to its unusual circumstances, intertwining political debate, family tension, and firearm safety.