A woman shot dead at a pub on Valentine’s Day by a man “known to her” has been named by police.
The landlady of The Three Horseshoes in Knockholt, near Sevenoaks, Kent, said she heard two loud bangs which sounded like fireworks.
Customers who realised what had happened started “screaming, shouting and crying”, added Michelle Thomas.
The victim was identified by police on Monday as Lisa Smith, from Slough.
One source told The Sun Ms Smith, in her 40s, had been in the pub with a female friend.
Kent Police said the suspect left the area and a car and gun were later found at the Queen Elizabeth II bridge which crosses the River Thames.
Officers later received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier, and believe he may have entered the water.
They said they believed the suspect was known to the victim.
Ms Thomas said she was preparing for the Valentine’s dinner service when she heard two loud bangs that she initially thought were fireworks.
Around 30 people were at the pub for dinner, while 20 more were in the bar as the incident unfolded just after 7pm, she said.
“People were only just starting to sit down, it was early on in the evening,” she told Sky News.
Ms Thomas also described how an off-duty firearms officer intervened to get the situation under control.
She told the broadcaster the victim had been to the pub before but “wasn’t a regular”.
Flowers and balloons, with a number of notes addressed to Ms Smith, have been placed on a small patch of grass next to The Three Horseshoes.
One card read: “Our love and prayers are with your family, especially your boys and granddaughter. May your light continue to shine as bright as it always has.” Balloons with the words “a wonderful mum” were left tied to a brick near the flowers
It is understood the suspect and the victim had local connections to the area.
A resident revealed petrified couples were “locked in” the pub for their own safety.
The villager, who lives close to the pub, said: “I heard three loud bangs and a bit of commotion.”
Detective Chief Inspector David Higham, the senior investigating officer, said on Saturday: “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.
“Specialist officers continue to work with the families of both parties involved to support them following this tragic incident.”
A search for his body continues.
