Heated Argument Over Gun Ownership
A British woman was shot dead while visiting her father's home in the United States, a fact that has only recently come to light. On the day of the incident, she is said to have argued with her father about U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to BBC and other foreign media on the 10th (local time), on January 10 last year, British citizen Lucy Harrison, 23, died from a gunshot wound to the chest at the home of her father, Chris Harrison, in Prosper, near Dallas, Texas.
At the inquest held that day, testimony was given that on the morning of her death, Harrison and her father had a heated argument about President Trump and gun ownership. Sam Riffler, Lucy's boyfriend who had traveled with her to Texas, testified that during the quarrel Lucy posed a hypothetical question to her father about a sexual assault situation. In response, Chris said that because he had two other daughters living with him, he would not be too concerned, which reportedly caused Lucy deep emotional pain.
Riffler also testified that about 30 minutes before they were due to leave for the airport, Chris took his daughter's hand and led her to a first-floor bedroom. About 15 seconds later, a gunshot rang out, followed by a scream. When he ran to the room, Lucy was lying on the floor at the entrance to the bathroom, and Chris was shouting incoherently. In a written statement submitted to the court, Chris said that while he and his daughter were watching news about gun crime, he went to the bedroom to show her his gun, and that the shot went off as he was lifting a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol. He claimed he could not clearly remember whether he had pulled the trigger.
Harrison added that he had purchased the firearm several years earlier to protect his family and that he had never previously discussed gun issues with his daughter. He also acknowledged having a history of treatment for alcoholism, and admitted that on the day of the incident, as his daughter's departure approached, he was emotionally unstable and drank about 500 ml of wine.
Lucy’s mother, Jane Coates, said her daughter "was someone full of life and energy" and added, "She cared deeply about people, was passionate about issues she considered important, and liked to discuss those topics."
Meanwhile, the coroner is expected to deliver a final conclusion on the 11th.
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