Kent shooting latest: Police searching for man known to woman shot dead at pub on Valentine’s Day – UK Times

Fellow 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.”

Kent 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.

In 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.”

A 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.

Local 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.”

The 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.”