MUM’S FURY
Tragic update into death of Brit, 23, ‘shot in chest’ at dad’s US home as her mum reveals ‘killer’ will not face justice
Graduate Lucy was seen playing in snow with family shortly before she died
THE mum of a Brit woman shot dead at her dad’s home in the US has revealed her fury after discovering her alleged killer will not face justice.
Lucy Harrison, 23, died after receiving a gunshot wound to the chest at the house near Dallas, Texas on January 10, hours before she was due to fly home to Manchester.
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Lucy Harrison was shot dead at her dad’s US homeCredit: Facebook
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Criminal charges will not be broughtCredit: Facebook
At the time, authorities in the US confirmed she died after being shot in the chest by “another person”.
Officials revealed a suspect had been identified and that the case was being probed as “criminally negligent homicide”.
But Collin County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed that a Grand Jury has issued a ‘no-bill’ in the case – meaning criminal charges will not be brought.
Lucy’s mum Jane Coates has now hit out at the “baffling” decision and said it was “beyond comprehension”.
She said the Grand Jury found the evidence did not meet the threshold for criminal proceedings.
Jane, from Warrington, Cheshire, added: “Although we have tried so hard to prepare for this moment, it is a brutal outcome to accept.
“It is baffling and beyond comprehension to us, our families and friends, that there is to be no accountability for what happened to my daughter.
“The international element, coupled with a different legal system, practice, and thresholds, makes the outcome even harder and more frustrating to accept.
“The outpouring of love for Lucy, myself, Sam, and our families and friends, from our local community and beyond, has been overwhelming, and I cannot thank everyone enough for their ongoing support.”
Unlike Britain, in the US a Grand Jury of citizens meets to review evidence and decide whether to bring a prosecution.
The hearings are conducted in secret, so details of who could have been charged have not been released.
It previously emerged from a police report that five witnesses had been identified after the shooting – including two children.
The tragedy happened during Lucy’s visit to her dad, Kris Harrison, originally from Southport but who now lives in the Dallas suburb of Prosper.
Paying tribute, mum Jane said: “When the time is right, I would welcome learning more from communities and groups in Texas who are working to prevent gun deaths through education, partnerships, and policy change.
“I know that Lucy would be a fierce advocate of this.
“I miss her infectious belly laughs, her constant chatter about her dream job at Boohoo in Manchester, her requests to tickle her legs, travel plans, her tears – and there were many!
“Most of all, as her mum, I miss spending time with the absolute light of my life. It was, and still is, a privilege to be her mum.
“In the words of her final Mother’s Day card to me, I’ll ‘keep mumming it’.”
An inquest in Cheshire heard how Lucy was “on holiday in the USA when she was fatally shot with a firearm”.
Just hours before the horror, Lucy could be seen posing happily in the snow with her family in touching last photos.
Wearing a thick black coat, the graduate beamed next to her dad, younger siblings and stepmum.
Lucy also grinned alongside her boyfriend, who she had flown to the US with just after Christmas to visit her family.
The couple, who had just bought a house together, had been planning to fly back to Manchester the day after Lucy was discovered dead.
Sam said: “Due to the legal proceedings over in America, Lucy’s voice has been silenced, leaving myself and Jane completely heartbroken.
“This outcome has left us baffled, heartbroken, and it has been incredibly frustrating to understand the thresholds and legal system in Texas.
“Our whole life was planned out, and we began that first step by buying our own home.
“I was one of the very fortunate ones who met ‘their person’ at a very young age, and I will be forever grateful to experience that, even for just one minute.”
The family have requested that, if desired, donations be made to Peace and Mind UK – a charity based in Lucy’s hometown founded in memory of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey.
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Lucy was due to fly home when she was shotCredit: Facebook
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A homicide probe had been launched into her deathCredit: Facebook
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Final photos showed Lucy playing in the snow with her familyCredit: Facebook
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The graduate died after being shot in the chest, an inquest foundCredit: Facebook
