In a case that has drawn national attention for its tragic circumstances and controversial outcome, a Texas father who fatally shot his 23-year-old daughter during a heated argument over former President Donald Trump will not face criminal charges. Kris Harrison, 52, claimed the shooting was accidental, and a grand jury in Collin County declined to indict him on potential charges of manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide. The incident occurred on January 10, 2025, at Harrison's home in Prosper, a affluent suburb north of Dallas.
Lucy Harrison, who had been visiting her father from her home in Warrington, England, where she lived with her mother, Jane Coates, was shot in the chest in her father's bedroom. According to Harrison's account, the altercation began over political differences, including discussions about gun rights, and escalated when he decided to show her his Glock 9mm pistol. Harrison told investigators that the gun discharged accidentally while he was handling it.
The Collin County grand jury, which reviewed the case in June 2025, ruled Lucy's death as accidental, sparing Harrison from prosecution. This decision has sparked outrage from family members and scrutiny from legal experts, who point to the conservative leanings of the jury's jurisdiction as a possible influence. Prosper and surrounding areas in Collin County are known for their strong support of Republican candidates and pro-gun sentiments, which some argue may have swayed the outcome.
Austin-based criminal defense attorney Lindsay Richards, a former prosecutor and partner at the law firm Coker and Connelly, expressed disbelief at the grand jury's ruling in an interview with the New York Post. "I honestly believe that the fact that he was not indicted and has not had any consequences for doing this is symptomatic of a very conservative county in Texas," Richards said. She attributed the decision to the region's political climate, noting that sympathy for gun-related incidents and the politically charged nature of the argument—centered around Trump—likely factored into the jury's thinking.
Richards emphasized that criminally negligent homicide would have been an appropriate charge, as it requires proving that the defendant failed to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that a reasonable person would have observed. In Harrison's case, she highlighted several aggravating factors, including his consumption of alcohol prior to the shooting. Reports indicate that Harrison, described by some as a "functioning alcoholic," had consumed a 17-ounce carton of white wine that morning.
"I also think it should be noted… that he had been drinking that day as well. So that’s another element to this that I cannot believe was not considered in his criminal negligence. That’s obvious," Richards stated. She contrasted the case with others she has seen in Texas courts, where individuals have faced manslaughter indictments for far less reckless actions. "I’ve seen cases in Texas where individuals that have been indicted for manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide for running traffic lights," she said. "So certainly an individual taking a firearm, showing it to his daughter. And had to have been pointing it at her …that doesn’t typically happen."
Lucy's mother, Jane Coates, reacted strongly to the grand jury's decision at the time, calling it "baffling" and "beyond comprehension." Coates, who had raised Lucy primarily in England after separating from Harrison years earlier, flew to Texas following the shooting to handle arrangements. She has since spoken publicly about her grief and frustration, emphasizing that her daughter was a vibrant young woman pursuing studies in environmental science and had no prior conflicts with her father that warranted such a tragic end.
The argument that preceded the shooting reportedly began innocently enough but quickly turned contentious. Lucy, who held more liberal views influenced by her life in the UK, clashed with her father over Trump's policies, including his stance on immigration and firearms. Harrison, a longtime resident of Texas and an avid supporter of Second Amendment rights, allegedly reached for his gun to illustrate a point about personal protection, according to details from the investigation.
Texas's gun laws played a peripheral role in the case, as the state does not require a license to own or carry a handgun in most situations—a policy enacted under Republican leadership in recent years. However, Richards dismissed any direct application of self-defense statutes like "stand your ground" laws, which allow deadly force in perceived threats. "We have stand your ground laws, but I don’t see how they would have applied in this situation because that’s more of a self-defense [law]. Being in fear [for] your life," she explained. "Not with your own daughter after you’ve been drinking wine and having an argument about politics."
Investigators from the Collin County Sheriff's Office arrived at Harrison's two-story home in the Windsong Ranch neighborhood shortly after the 911 call on that January morning. Neighbors described the area as a quiet, family-oriented community with median home prices exceeding $600,000, far removed from the urban bustle of Dallas. Harrison cooperated fully with authorities, undergoing a blood alcohol test that confirmed elevated levels, though not to the point of intoxication under legal driving limits.
The autopsy conducted by the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office listed the cause of death as a single gunshot wound to the chest, with the manner initially classified as undetermined pending grand jury review. Toxicology reports on Lucy showed no substances in her system, underscoring the unilateral nature of the tragedy. Harrison has maintained his innocence, telling friends and family that the gun—a model he had owned for years—malfunctioned unexpectedly.
Legal observers note that grand juries in Texas, composed of 12 citizens, vote on indictments in non-public proceedings, making it difficult to pinpoint exact reasons for their decisions. In Collin County, which voted overwhelmingly for Trump in the 2024 election with over 60% support, juries often reflect the broader demographic: predominantly white, affluent, and conservative. This case marks the latest in a series of high-profile incidents where gun mishandlings in pro-Second Amendment regions have resulted in no charges, raising questions about equity in the justice system.
Coates has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support gun violence prevention efforts in Lucy's name, raising over $50,000 in the months following the ruling. She plans to advocate for stricter handling protocols for firearms, particularly in households with alcohol present. "Lucy deserved better than this," Coates said in a statement released through a family spokesperson. "No parent should lose a child to an 'accident' that could have been prevented."
As Harrison resumes his life in Prosper—reportedly attending local AA meetings and avoiding public comment—the case continues to fuel debates on gun safety and political polarization. Richards warned that such outcomes could erode public trust in the legal process, especially in polarized environments. "The only thing we can boil this down to is looking at our political climate. A conservative county in Texas, and this was the result," she concluded.
While no further legal action is expected against Harrison, the ripple effects of Lucy's death extend beyond the courtroom. Advocacy groups like Moms Demand Action have cited the incident in calls for universal background checks and safe storage laws, even in permissive states like Texas. For now, the family grapples with loss, and the community reflects on the dangers lurking in everyday arguments amplified by ideology and easy access to weapons.