Lucy Harrison shooting: Cheshire Police say they lack authority to act over Texas death

The mother of British woman Lucy Harrison, shot dead by her father in Texas, has been told UK police have no lawful authority to intervene in the US case.

Cheshire Police unable to act over British woman's fatal shooting in Texas

Cheshire Police have told the mother of Lucy Harrison — a 23-year-old from Warrington shot dead by her father in Texas — that they have "no lawful authority to intervene" in the American investigation, bbc.co.uk reports.

Lucy was shot in the chest on 10 January 2025 at her father Kris Harrison's home in Prosper, Dallas. A UK coroner concluded in February that she had been unlawfully killed, finding that her father's conduct amounted to gross negligence manslaughter under English law. Despite that finding, no criminal charges were brought in the United States after a grand jury in Collin County declined to indict Kris Harrison, who told investigators the Glock handgun discharged accidentally while he was showing it to his daughter.

Lucy's mother, Jane Coates, wrote to Cheshire Constabulary urging the force to gather evidence locally and then liaise with US authorities. In response, Deputy Chief Constable Mike Evans said the force was "ultimately constrained by legal, jurisdictional and practical realities that significantly limit what any police force in England and Wales can do in relation to a death that occurred in the United States."

Evans confirmed that, given the "unusual circumstances" of Lucy's death, a Senior Investigating Officer had been assigned to the case. That officer appointed a Family Liaison Officer and sought information from relevant US law enforcement agencies. Evans said these steps "reflected our recognition of the exceptional circumstances of the case and our commitment to providing whatever support and assistance was realistically available," despite the "clear jurisdictional limitations."

The family had argued that because Kris Harrison holds British citizenship, a legal mechanism exists under which UK nationals who commit murder or manslaughter abroad can in certain circumstances be prosecuted before British courts. Evans acknowledged the argument but said: "Even where jurisdiction may arguably exist in law, the practical ability to investigate and prosecute remains severely constrained when the suspect, witnesses, exhibits and evidential opportunities are all located overseas."

Last month, Coates travelled to Texas in an attempt to meet the district attorney in Collin County and press him to reinstate the investigation. She was told he would not speak to her. Texas police have separately confirmed they would not reopen the case.

Coates' lawyer, Radd Seiger, said the family held "serious concerns" about whether all relevant evidence had been properly gathered and considered. He cited a recent download from Lucy's mobile phone as containing information "we believe are relevant to the circumstances leading up to her death."

Seiger was clear about the scope of the family's request. "We are not asking Cheshire Constabulary to take over an American investigation or to determine what happened in Texas," he said, adding that the family was asking the force "to obtain and examine relevant evidence which has not yet been properly investigated."

"The family have spent nearly two years trying to get answers about Lucy's death and justice for her," Seiger said. "They are not prepared to accept that the investigation is complete simply because the American authorities have decided not to take the matter further."

Evans, for his part, acknowledged the human dimension of the case. "No parent should have to endure the loss of a child in such tragic circumstances, and I fully appreciate that the passage of time does not diminish the family's need for answers or their determination to understand exactly what happened to Lucy," he said.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)