The mother of 23-year-old Lucy Harrison, who was shot by her father, Kris Harrison, after an argument, claims to have new evidence that may lead to reopening the case. Jane Coates believes that a yearlong coroner’s inquest in Cheshire, England, and allegations of police misconduct could result in charges against Kris Harrison, who shot Lucy in his home in a Dallas suburb on January 10, 2025.
Kris Harrison, a 52-year-old telecommunications executive, was not charged after a grand jury ruled the incident an accident. However, a coroner’s court in the U.K. determined in February that Lucy’s death was an unlawful killing due to gross negligence manslaughter. Senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish stated that Kris “knew full well he had shot his own daughter, pointing a gun at chest height and pulling the trigger.”
The U.K. ruling does not have legal implications in the U.S. Lucy had traveled from the U.K. with her boyfriend to visit her father and half-sisters. The argument that preceded the shooting involved a discussion about Donald Trump’s civil case with E. Jean Carroll.
Sam Littler, Lucy’s boyfriend, recalled that Lucy asked Kris how he would feel if she were the victim of sexual assault, to which Kris responded indifferently. Later that day, after consuming alcohol, Kris shot Lucy shortly after leading her to his bedroom.
Inconsistencies in Kris’s statements to police have raised questions. He claimed to be standing next to the bed when Lucy was shot, yet forensic evidence indicated her body was found approximately seven feet away. He also stated he did not remember pulling the trigger but suggested it may have happened while he was picking up the gun. Initially denying he had been drinking, he later admitted to relapsing as a recovered alcoholic and consuming wine before the incident.
Surveillance footage showed him purchasing wine shortly before the shooting, but police did not administer a Breathalyzer or take a blood sample. Craig Miller, a former Dallas police detective, noted the importance of questioning statements when inconsistencies arise.
Lucy’s parents have been divorced since she was two years old. Coates traveled to Texas last month to meet with law enforcement and prosecutors but was denied a meeting. She expressed her desire to discuss the investigation's thoroughness with the authorities.