Texas Dad Who Shot Daughter After Political Argument Won't Face Charges

Legal expert says conservative county jury likely swayed by gun-friendly politics and sympathy for accidental shooting.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A Texas father who fatally shot his 23-year-old daughter after an argument about President Trump will not face charges, according to a legal expert. Kris Harrison claimed the shooting was an accident, but a criminal defense lawyer says he should have been charged with manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide, especially since Harrison had been drinking wine that day. The lawyer believes the conservative, gun-friendly county where the grand jury was based played a role in the decision not to indict.

Why it matters

This case highlights the influence of regional politics and gun culture in Texas on the criminal justice system, as well as the potential legal consequences for gun owners who are intoxicated and mishandle firearms, even when a death occurs.

The details

Kris Harrison, a self-described "functioning alcoholic," allegedly shot and killed his daughter Lucy after an argument about politics, including gun rights, at his home in Prosper, Texas. Harrison claimed his Glock 9mm pistol accidentally went off while he was "showing it" to Lucy. A legal expert says Harrison should have been charged with manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide, especially since he had been drinking 17 ounces of wine that day. However, the grand jury in the conservative, gun-friendly Collin County decided not to indict Harrison, which the expert believes was due to the political climate in the region.

  • On January 10, 2025, Kris Harrison shot and killed his 23-year-old daughter Lucy during an argument at his home in Prosper, Texas.
  • In June 2025, a Texas grand jury ruled Lucy's death as accidental and decided not to indict Kris Harrison.

The players

Kris Harrison

A Texas father who fatally shot his 23-year-old daughter Lucy after an argument about President Trump. Harrison claimed the shooting was an accident.

Lucy Harrison

Kris Harrison's 23-year-old daughter who was killed when her father's gun accidentally went off during an argument.

Lindsay Richards

An Austin-based criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor who believes Kris Harrison should have been charged with manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide.

Jane Coates

Lucy Harrison's mother, who described the grand jury's decision not to charge Kris Harrison as "baffling" and "beyond comprehension."

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What they’re saying

“I honestly believe that the fact that he was not indicted and has not had any consequences for doing this is symptomatic of a very conservative county in Texas.”

— Lindsay Richards, Criminal defense lawyer

“The only thing we can boil this down to is looking at our political climate. A conservative county in Texas, and this was the result.”

— Lindsay Richards, Criminal defense lawyer

“I also think it should be noted... that he had been drinking that day as well. So that's another element to this that I cannot believe was not considered in his criminal negligence. That's obvious.”

— Lindsay Richards, Criminal defense lawyer

“Lucy's death was ruled accidental by a Texas grand jury in June, a decision her mom, Jane Coates, described as 'baffling' and 'beyond comprehension' at the time.”

— Jane Coates (nypost.com)

What’s next

The case has raised questions about the influence of regional politics and gun culture on the criminal justice system in Texas, and whether stricter laws or enforcement are needed to hold gun owners accountable for reckless behavior, even in accidental shootings.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for greater scrutiny of gun violence, especially when alcohol is involved, and highlights the challenges of achieving justice in a politically charged environment where gun rights are fiercely defended.