Woman shot dead at village pub on Valentine's Day

Telegraph

15-02-2025

A woman in her 40s was shot dead at a pub near Sevenoaks, Kent, on Valentine's Day, police have said.
Emergency services were called to the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt at just after 7pm on Friday following reports that a woman had suffered serious injuries.
Kent Police said officers attended the scene along with the South East Coast Ambulance Service. The woman had suffered injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.
The force said: 'She was declared deceased at the scene, and a murder investigation is under way.'
Police are searching for a man after a suspect fled the area, and said efforts to find him and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident were ongoing.
'We've never had anything like this'
At around midnight, police searching for the killer found a vehicle containing a gun on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which crosses the River Thames at Dartford, around 14 miles away.
A spokesman said: 'The suspect, a man who is believed to be known to the victim, left the area. Inquiries to locate him and to establish the full circumstances are ongoing.
'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.'
Ray Picot, a local parish councillor, told Kent Online he had heard 'a couple of loud bangs' at 7pm.
He added: '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.'
A message posted on the Three Horseshoes' Facebook page said it would remain closed on Saturday following a 'tragic incident outside the pub last night'.