The mother of a young woman who was tragically killed by her father in the United States has filed a formal complaint with the American police department handling the case.
Lucy Harrison, a resident of Warrington, Cheshire, was only 23 years old when she was fatally shot by her father, Kris, on January 10 last year while visiting his residence in Prosper, Texas, with her boyfriend Sam Littler.
Following the incident, a grand jury reviewed the situation and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges against Kris. A grand jury is a group of citizens tasked with investigating potential criminal activities and determining if there is adequate evidence to prosecute a suspect.
The firearm used in the shooting was legally owned by Harrison in Texas, where state law does not mandate a license or training for owning a gun for home defense purposes. After an inquiry at Cheshire Coroner’s Court, it was determined that Lucy’s death was unlawful.
During the investigation, Mr. Harrison admitted to consuming alcohol on the day of the incident, although no breathalyzer or blood alcohol tests were conducted by the authorities.
The US police closed the case in June 2025, prompting Lucy’s mother, Jane Coates, to formally lodge a complaint with the Prosper Police Department, citing concerns about the thoroughness and scrutiny of the investigation. Jane hopes that the case will be reconsidered.
Expressing her sentiments, Jane emphasized that the issue lies in the quality of the police inquiry rather than legal technicalities. She highlighted what she perceives as inconsistencies in the investigation process.
After Lucy’s inquest in February, Jane raised objections regarding the swift decision by the police to not press charges, questioning the speed at which they labeled the incident as an accidental discharge without thorough examination.
Jane also criticized the lack of further investigation into Kris’ alcohol consumption, as he was the sole witness to Lucy’s death. She noted that his account seemed to carry more weight in the investigation.
Since the inquest, Jane has initiated a campaign named For Luce in memory of her daughter, aiming to provide support to families navigating foreign legal systems. The campaign advocates for positive change and unity.
Prosper Police Department has been contacted for comment on the matter.
