Woman in her 40s dies from gunshot wounds after Valentine’s Night pub attack as police launch murder probe
A woman in her 40s has died from gunshot wounds after an attack outside a pub on Valentine’s Day.
Kent Police have now launched a murder probe following the incident at the Three Horseshoes pub in Main Road, Knockholt yesterday.
Officers and paramedics rushed to the scene at around 7.02pm where the woman had suffered injuries ‘consistent with gunshot wounds’.
The victim was declared deceased at the scene. The force confirmed her family have been informed.
A manhunt was launched after the suspect, who police say was known to the victim, with helicopters used to scour the local area.
Police were also called near the Dartford Crossing over the River Thames – 17 miles from Knockholt.
A vehicle linked to the incident was recovered along with a firearm was recovered at the location, police have said.
It is understood a Gravesend RNLI Lifeboat was tasked with searching the area by the HM Coastguard at around 10.25pm.
Locals have been left shocked as a police cordon remains in place in the heart of the quiet village.
‘I heard three loud bangs and a bit of commotion. I heard the man ran towards Halstead after,’ the local said.
Zack Warne, 19, added: ‘It is shocking, this is Knockholt, not south London. The helicopter was up all night.’
82-year-old, Joyce Betts, who also lives nearby, said: ‘My granddaughter called me and said ‘make sure your windows and doors are locked’.
‘I could see lights outside but I couldn’t tell what was going on it was coming through that someone had been shot.
‘I thought oh my God that’s all we need in our sleepy little village.’
Ray Picot, 70, said: ‘Just after 7pm I heard the shots. Bang, bang. I thought it was a road traffic collision st first, I thought oh no not another accident.
‘The helicopter was buzzing around for hours. I’ve lived here 30 years and it’s a real shock. It’s such a quiet area.’
One villager, who would only give her name as Julie, said armed police swooped on the scene.
She said: ‘My brother in law and sister in law were in the pub for valentines dinner.
‘They were locked in. I was texting them making sure they were okay, there were armed police all over the pub then when they were told to come home they had to have their picture taken and they were escorted home by the police.
‘It is scary, it was really distressing for them.’
Knockholt Parish councillor, Steve Maines, told the BBC: ‘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.’
A blue Seat car in the pub car park was removed from the murder scene by police and taken away via loader lorry today.
The Three Horseshoes have since issued a statement: ‘Following the official press release of the tragic incident that happened on the premises last night – all of us at the Three Horseshoes want to send our sincere condolences to the victim’s family and friends.
‘We also want to send our support to anyone else in the local and surrounding community who have been impacted by this. Please be respectful of everyone involved at this difficult time, thank you.’
A force spokesperson said: ‘Kent Police was called at 7.02pm 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 serious injuries.
‘The suspect, a man who is believed to be known to the victim, left the area and is currently outstanding.
‘Enquiries to locate him and to establish the full circumstances are ongoing.’
