UK police tell family they have 'no authority' over Texas shooting death

The response came in a letter to Jane Coates, who had urged the force to "gather evidence" locally and "liaise" with US authorities. Deputy Chief Constable Mike Evans wrote: "Whilst we may share the family's concerns and understand their desire for further scrutiny, we have no lawful authority to intervene in decisions taken by those agencies."

Lucy Harrison, 23, from Warrington, was shot in the chest on 10 January 2025 at her father's home in Prosper, near Dallas. Her father, Kris Harrison, said the Glock handgun discharged accidentally while he was showing it to his daughter. A grand jury in Collin County declined to indict him, finding insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges, and police in Texas have said they will not reopen the investigation. In February, a coroner in England concluded Lucy had been unlawfully killed, finding that her father's actions amounted to gross negligence manslaughter under UK law.

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." He said a Senior Investigating Officer had been appointed to look into the case, a Family Liaison Officer had been assigned, and information had been sought from US law enforcement agencies.

The family had argued that because Kris Harrison is a British citizen, a mechanism exists under certain circumstances for UK nationals who commit murder or manslaughter abroad to be prosecuted before British courts. Evans responded: "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 flew to Texas hoping to meet the district attorney in Collin County and call for the investigation to be reinstated, but was told he would not speak to her. The family's lawyer, Radd Seiger, said there were "serious concerns about the investigation and whether all the relevant evidence was properly gathered and considered." He said a recent download from Lucy's mobile phone contained information the family believes is relevant to the circumstances leading up to her death, and that they were asking Cheshire Police "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 added: "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."