Woman dies after Valentine's Day shooting at pub as cops hunt man 'known to her'

A murder investigation is underway after a woman was shot and killed on Valentine's Day last night at a pub in Kent.

The incident occurred at the Three Horseshoes pub in Kent just after 7pm in front of horrified pubgoers. The police have cordoned off the area around the pub on Main Road in Knockholt, where they found a woman in her 40s with "suffered serious injuries" and who later succumbed to her injuries. The authorities are now on the hunt for the suspect who managed to escape the scene before the police arrived. The man is believed to know the deceased woman.

"Officers attended the scene along with South East Coast Ambulance Service where a woman in her 40s had suffered injuries consistent with gunshot wounds," a statement from Kent Police read. "She was declared deceased at the scene and a murder investigation is underway. Her next of kin has been informed."

The police statement continued: "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.

"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."

The pub announced on its Facebook page that it will remain closed today due to "following a tragic incident outside the pub last night."

They further added: "Sorry for any inconvenience. Hopefully we will be open on Sunday as usual x thank you."

A blue tent has been set up by the authorities outside the pub and both Main Road and Pound Lane have been closed off.

One resident from Sevenoaks told Sky News that he "heard two loud bangs. I just thought it was a car accident" until emergency crews arrived. Another said she saw "someone on the floor being given CPR by paramedics".

Authorities have also created cordons around the establishment in the centre of the village of Knockholt, which lies around five miles (8km) northwest of Sevenoaks.

Police said they discovered a vehicle they believed was linked the grim incident, alongside a firearm at the Dartford Crossing in Kent.