'MURDER' MANHUNT
Valentine’s Day gunman ‘may have entered the river’ at Dartford Crossing after woman in her 40s shot dead at pub
Cops said they found a vehicle linked to the shooting at Dartford Crossing
A GUNMAN may have entered the river at the Dartford Crossing after a woman was shot dead at a pub on Valentine's Day.
The suspect, believed to be known to the victim, fled the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent, following the horror shooting.
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Police say a car and a gun were later found at the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and believe the suspect "may have entered the water" following the death of the woman in her 40s.
It comes after police received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier on the crossing.
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.
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“Specialist officers continue to work with the families of both parties involved to support them following this tragic incident.”
Terrified locals claimed they heard "three loud bangs" after the woman was shot dead outside the pub yesterday.
Police are stilling hunting the "man known to the victim" after being called to the village of Knockholt last night.
Officers and South East Coast Ambulance Service paramedics tragically pronounced a woman in her 40s dead at the scene just after 7pm.
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One resident has told how she heard three loud bangs as the horror unfolded.
Another 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."
Zack Warne, 19, added: “It is shocking, this is Knockholt, not south London.
“The helicopter was up all night.”
Joyce Betts, 82, who lives nearby, continued: “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.”
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One villager, who would only give her name as Julie, said armed police swooped on the pub.
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.
"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."
Ray Picot, 70, said: "Just after 7pm I heard the shots. Bang, bang. I thought it was a road traffic collision at 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."
Kent Police also revealed a crucial clue they are investigating after the horror.
The force confirmed officers attended the Dartford Crossing where a vehicle linked to the attack was recovered as well as a firearm.
Forensics are also focused around a blue Seat in the pub car park and a blue tent was put up near the venue.
'HUGE COMMOTION'
This comes as the suspect, a man believed to be known to the victim, remains at large.
Cops launched an urgent manhunt after he fled the scene before officers arrived.
Police later added that they are trying "to identify and locate all persons potentially involved" with a murder investigation underway.
Another witness, Steve Maines, a parish councillor in Knockholt, told the : "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."
The Three Horseshoes is located around five miles north-east of Sevenoaks.
A statement on the pub's Facebook page read: "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."
Another was released this afternoon which read: "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."
Both Main Road and Pound Lane were closed by officers last night.
A police spokesperson said: "Kent Police was called at 7.02pm on Friday 14 February 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 underway. Her next of kin has been informed.
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"As part of enquiries, officers attended the Dartford Crossing where a vehicle linked to the incident was recovered, alongside a firearm.
"Enquiries are ongoing to identify and locate all persons potentially involved."
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