Pub Landlady Describes ‘Screaming, Crying’ After Woman Shot Dead

A woman died Friday night. She was shot at a pub in Knockholt, Kent. The pub’s landlady described the scene as chaotic. People were screaming, shouting, and crying after the shooting.

Michelle Thomas owns The Three Horseshoes pub. She was readying for Valentine’s dinner when she heard two loud bangs. She thought they were fireworks outside, then she noticed the commotion.

Thomas recalls people being upset and on their phones. Staff brought them inside to help. About 30 people ate dinner then, with around 20 more in the bar when it happened around 7 p.m.

An off-duty police officer helped control things. The landlady reopened the pub on Sunday, though the community is still in shock from the event. Police haven’t named the murdered woman, but she had been to the pub before.

Police think the suspect went into the Dartford Crossing water. They believe the victim knew the suspect. A car and gun were found at the bridge after police heard a man was on the wrong side of the barrier.

Investigators are only looking for one suspect now and do not think the public is in danger. Police support the families involved in the tragic event, noting the suspect and victim were not from Kent but had local connections.

Police went to the pub near Sevenoaks after 7 p.m. Friday. The woman was declared dead at the scene. A local councillor, Ray Picot, heard loud noises at 7 p.m. and said the event was surprising.

Picot said the pub is usually busy and well-run. Another councillor, Steve Maines, heard a commotion and learned someone had been shot, forcing him to leave his Valentine’s Day meal.

Dorothy Wong, a local resident, heard bangs, then she heard a woman shouting loudly. She said it came from outside her home. The incident shook the quiet village.