A British woman visiting her father in Texas was fatally shot following an argument about US President Donald Trump, an inquest in Cheshire has heard.

Lucy Harrison, 23, from Warrington, Cheshire, was shot in the chest on January 10, 2025, at her father’s home in Prosper, near Dallas. While local authorities initially investigated the death as possible manslaughter, a Collin County grand jury declined to indict her father, Kris Harrison.

At Cheshire Coroner’s Court, Lucy’s boyfriend, Sam Littler, described a “big argument” earlier that day concerning Trump, who was preparing for his second presidential inauguration. Littler, who had traveled to the US with Lucy for the holiday, told the court that she often became upset when her father spoke about owning firearms.

The inquest also revealed that Kris Harrison, who moved to the US when Lucy was a child, had a history of alcohol addiction and had relapsed on the day of the shooting, reportedly consuming about 500ml of white wine.

Littler recounted that during the political dispute, Lucy asked her father, “How would you feel if I was the girl in that situation and I\'d been sexually assaulted?” He allegedly replied that he had two other daughters and would not be too upset. Distressed, Lucy reportedly ran upstairs.

Later, while preparing to leave for the airport, Lucy went to the kitchen where her father led her into his bedroom to show her a Glock 9mm handgun. Moments later, a gunshot was heard. Kris Harrison screamed for his wife, and Littler found Lucy lying on the floor.

In a statement, Harrison said the shooting was accidental. “As I lifted the gun to show her I suddenly heard a loud bang. I did not understand what had happened. Lucy immediately fell,” he said, adding that he could not recall whether his finger was on the trigger.

Police noted the smell of alcohol on Harrison at the scene. CCTV footage reportedly showed he had purchased two 500ml cartons of Chardonnay earlier that day.

At the hearing, Harrison’s legal team sought to have the coroner recuse herself, citing potential bias, but the request was denied. Lucy’s mother described her daughter as a “real force of life,” passionate and caring, who loved debating important issues.

The inquest was adjourned, with the coroner expected to deliver her conclusions on Wednesday.