The man suspected of shooting a woman dead at a Kent village pub on Valentine’s Day may have entered the River Thames, police have said.
Police were called to the Three Horseshoes in the village of Knockholt, near Sevenoaks, on Friday evening after a woman in her forties was shot. She was declared dead at the scene when police arrived shortly after 7pm, after the gunman had fled.
Neither the suspect or victim were from Kent, but authorities said they had local connections to the area and were known to eachother.
On Friday evening, Kent Police found a vehicle linked to the crime containing a gun on the bridge at the Dartford Crossing.
Call handlers received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier and the force “are not ruling out the possibility that he may have entered the water”.
The local community of the quiet rural village has been shocked by the incident.
Resident Chris Warner told the BBC: "It's a really quiet area. Everybody knows everyone. It's just so shocking that something like this could happen here."
Key Points
- Suspect 'may have entered water'
- Pub sends 'sincere condolences' to family and friends
- In pictures: Police cordon off the scene
- Report: Manhunt after woman dies in shooting at village pub in Kent on Valentine’s Day
Local community shocked
19:42 , Athena StavrouThe local community of the quiet rural village has been shocked by the incident.
Resident Chris Warner told the BBC: "It's a really quiet area. Everybody knows everyone. It's just so shocking that something like this could happen here."
Victim and suspect not from Kent
19:03 , Athena StavrouIt is understood neither the suspect or victim were from Kent but had local connections to the area.
Earlier, police said the suspect was a man known to the victim but did not release further information about their identitities.
Suspect 'may have entered water'
18:17 , Athena StavrouThe suspect in the fatal shooting of a woman at a pub in Kent “may have entered the water” at the Dartford Crossing, Kent Police said.
A murder investigation has been launched over the incident at the Three Horseshoes pub in Main Road, Knockholt, which happened at around 7pm on Friday.
The force said the suspect, believed to be known to the victim, who was in her 40s, left the area and a car and gun were later found at the Queen Elizabeth II bridge.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector David Higham, said: “Call handlers received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier and we are not ruling out the possibility that he may have entered the water.
“We are currently only looking for one suspect and do not believe there to be an ongoing risk to the public.”
It is understood neither the suspect or victim were from Kent but had local connections to the area.
Watch: Police cordon outside after woman dies in shooting at Kent pub
17:53 , Athena StavrouWhere is Knockholt?
17:31 , Athena StavrouKnockholt is a village and civil parish in in Kent, five miles north west of Sevenoaks
Residents of the village have described it as “really quiet” and expressed shock that a fatal shooting could happen in the local pub.
Local MP issues statement
16:53 , Athena StavrouLaura Trott, the MP for Sevenoaks & Swanley, has issued a statement after a woman in her 40s was shot and killed at a village pub.
She wrote on social media: “I am devastated to hear about the incident which occurred in #Knockholt last night, and my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends impacted.
“I know our community will be shocked at the news, but this is a live investigation and we must allow the police to do their job.
“I have been in touch with both Kent Police and Matthew Scott for Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, and am receiving updates as they unfold.”
Customers having Valentine's meal 'heard huge commotion'
16:27 , Athena StavrouFellow parish councillor Steve Maines told the BBC he heard a “commotion” outside the venue, and was told someone had been shot.
He said: “We were sitting having our Valentine’s Day meal when all of a sudden we heard this huge commotion outside in the car park.
“We were told someone had been shot so we had to leave.”
Who are the police looking for?
15:55 , Athena StavrouKent police have said that the suspect was a man who knew the victim.
Nothing else is known about the suspect, but the victim was a woman in her 40s.
Police are searching for the killer, and found a vehicle connected to the incident which had a gun on a nearby bridge.
Watch: Neighbour mistakes 'two loud bangs' in Kent pub shooting for car accident
15:29 , Athena StavrouKent police's full statement
15:18 , Athena StavrouIn a statement, Kent Police said it was “called at 7.02pm on Friday February 14 2025 to a report of a disturbance at the Three Horseshoes pub in Main Road, Knockholt”.
“Officers attended the scene along with South East Coast Ambulance Service where a woman in her 40s had suffered injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.
“She was declared deceased at the scene and a murder investigation is under way.
“Her next of kin has been informed.
“As part of inquiries, officers attended the Dartford Crossing where a vehicle linked to the incident was recovered, alongside a firearm.
“Inquiries are ongoing to identify and locate all persons potentially involved.”
In pictures: Forensic officers search for clues
15:04 , Alex Croft
Woman heard shouting, says witness
14:45 , Alex CroftA witness to the events - who heard but did not see the shooting - has recalled hearing a woman shout at the time.
“I heard around three to four bangs outside and loud shouting from a woman’s voice,” Dorothy Wong, who lives in the village, told the BBC.
It is unclear who was shouting.
'I heard a couple of loud bangs' - parish councillor Ray Picot
14:37 , Alex CroftLocal parish councillor Ray Picot said he heard “a couple of loud bangs” at 7pm.
He told Kent Online: “It’s a shock. We’ve never had anything like this. It’s a very busy pub – a great pub. It never has any trouble and is very well managed.
“I understand those inside the pub were ushered back to their houses by police as they were all in terrible shock. It sounded awful.”
Pub sends 'sincere condolences' to family and friends
14:28 , Alex CroftPub at centre of the shooting issues statement
14:20 , Alex CroftThe Three Horseshoes pub, the site of the shooting, announced it is closed today due to the shooting.
In a statement earlier, the pub said: "The Three Horseshoes will be CLOSED today Saturday 15th February following a tragic incident outside the pub last night, sorry for any inconvenience. Hopefully we will be open on Sunday as usual x thank you."
In pictures: Police cordon off the scene
14:03 , Alex Croft
Manhunt after woman dies in shooting at village pub in Kent on Valentine’s Day
14:03 , Alex CroftA woman in her forties was shot dead at a pub in Knockholt on Friday evening sparking a manhunt, Kent Police said.
Police said they were called to a “disturbance” at the Three Horseshoes pub on Main Road, where they found a woman in her 40s with “injuries consistent with gunshot wounds”.
A murder investigation is underway after the woman was declared dead at the scene, police said, adding that her family has been informed.
A firearm was found alongside a vehicle linked to the shooting at the Dartford Crossing.
Read the breaking news report here:
Kent: Manhunt launched after woman dies in Valentine’s Day shooting at village pub
