Latest news with #DavidHigham
Sky News
17-02-2025
- Sky News
Woman shot dead at Kent pub on Valentine's Day named by police
A woman who was shot dead at a village pub in Kent on Valentine's Day has been named by police. Lisa Smith, 43, was pronounced dead in the car park of The Three Horseshoes on Friday. The suspect, who is believed to have known the victim, fled in a car that was found later on Friday night at a bridge crossing the River Thames in Dartford, 17 miles away. Police, who discovered a gun inside the vehicle, said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting. Detective Chief Inspector David Higham said they're "not ruling out the possibility that he may have entered the water". Michelle Thomas, who runs The Three Horseshoes pub, told Sky News she heard two loud bangs that she initially "thought were fireworks" on the night of the shooting. She described the aftermath, describing "so much commotion - screaming, shouting, crying" and adding the attack had left the community in "absolute shock". Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
The Independent
16-02-2025
- The Independent
Everything we know about Kent Valentine's Day shooting which saw woman shot dead outside pub
A woman was shot dead on Valentine's Day outside a popular pub in Kent, prompting a major investigation and a widespread search for the suspect. The victim, who has not yet been identified but is in her forties, was pronounced dead at the scene at the Three Horseshoes in the village of Knockholt, near Sevenoaks. In their latest update on Saturday evening, Kent Police said that they believed the suspect may have entered the water, while a gun was found in a car nearby. Here's everything we know about the incident: Police were called to the pub just after 7pm on Friday after receiving reports of a shooting. Michelle Thomas, who runs the pub, told Sky News she was printing off menus and preparing for the Valentine's dinner service when she heard two loud bangs that she initially "thought were fireworks". "There was so much commotion - screaming, shouting, crying. People were outside, on their phones. We tried to get people inside the pub to consolidate them,' she said. At the time, around 30 people were at the pub for dinner, while 20 more were in the bar with the dinner service underway. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the woman was declared dead and her next of kin have been informed. The force said the suspect, believed to be known to the victim, left the area and a car and gun were later found at the Queen Elizabeth II bridge. Police later received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier. It has been reported that a Gravesend RNLI Lifeboat was tasked with searching the area by the HM Coastguard at around 10.25pm. It is understood neither the suspect nor the victim was from Kent but had local connections to the area. What have the police said? 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. 'Specialist officers continue to work with the families of both parties involved to support them following this tragic incident.' What have locals said? Local parish councillor Ray Picot told Kent Online that he 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.' 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.' And Dorothy Wong, who lives in the village, said: 'I heard around three to four bangs outside and loud shouting from a woman's voice.'
Telegraph
16-02-2025
- Telegraph
Valentine's Day killer ‘may have entered River Thames' after village pub shooting
The suspect in the Valentine's Day shooting outside a village pub which left a woman dead 'may have entered the water' at the Dartford Crossing, police have said. A manhunt entered its second day on Sunday after a woman in her 40s died following a shooting at the Three Horseshoes in the village of Knockholt, five miles from Sevenoaks, Kent, on Feb 14. Kent Police said the suspect, believed to be known to the victim, left the area and a car and gun were later found at the Queen Elizabeth II bridge. Detectives later received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier. Detective Chief Inspector David Higham, the senior investigating officer, 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. 'Specialist officers continue to work with the families of both parties involved to support them following this tragic incident.' It is understood neither the suspect or victim were from Kent but had local connections to the area. Officers were called to the pub near Sevenoaks at just after 7pm on Friday, where the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Ray Picot, a local parish councillor, told Kent Online that he 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.' 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.' And Dorothy Wong, who lives in the village, said: 'I heard around three to four bangs outside and loud shouting from a woman's voice.'
Sky News
16-02-2025
- Sky News
Search continues for suspect behind fatal Valentine's Day shooting at Kent pub
Murder squad detectives are continuing to investigate the fatal shooting of a woman at a village pub in Kent on Friday, including whether the suspected gunman entered the River Thames. A woman in her 40s was shot at The Three Horseshoes in Knockholt near Sevenoaks just after 7pm on Valentine's Day. She was pronounced dead at the scene. On Sunday bouquets of flowers had been placed outside the pub along with cans of Red Bull. The suspect, who is believed to have known the victim, fled by car which was later found on Friday night at the Dartford Crossing. Police discovered a gun inside the vehicle. Detective Chief Inspector David Higham said: "There were reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier [at the Queen Elizabeth II bridge] 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." On Saturday, forensic teams in white overalls examined the area outside the pub. The focus of the investigation was a blue Seat at the entrance to the car park. The passenger side window of the vehicle was smashed and shattered glass could be seen around the vehicle. Bullet casings were also reportedly found on the ground. It is understood neither the suspect nor victim were from Kent but had local connections to the area. Laura Trott, Conservative MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley, said she was "devastated" about the shooting. Posting on Facebook she said: "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." Kent Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting.
The Independent
15-02-2025
- The Independent
Kent pub shooting suspect ‘may have entered river', police say
The suspect in the fatal shooting of a woman at a pub in Kent 'may have entered the water' at the Dartford Crossing, police have said. A woman in her 40s died after a shooting at the Three Horseshoes in the village of Knockholt on Valentine's Day evening, Kent Police said. The force said the suspect, believed to be known to the victim, left the area and a car and gun were later found at the Queen Elizabeth II bridge. Police later received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier. 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. 'Specialist officers continue to work with the families of both parties involved to support them following this tragic incident.' It is understood neither the suspect or victim were from Kent but had local connections to the area. Officers were called to the pub near Sevenoaks at just after 7pm on Friday, where the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Local parish councillor Ray Picot told Kent Online that he 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.' 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.' And Dorothy Wong, who lives in the village, said: 'I heard around three to four bangs outside and loud shouting from a woman's voice.'
