Police are continuing extensive searches of the River Thames after a murder suspect linked to the fatal shooting of a woman in Knockholt is believed to have fallen from the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing.
Fatal Shooting in Knockholt
Kent Police were called at 7.02pm on Friday, 14 February, following reports of a disturbance outside The Three Horseshoes pub on Main Road, Knockholt. Officers and paramedics arrived to find a woman in her 40s suffering from gunshot wounds. Tragically, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
While formal identification has not yet taken place, the victim has been named by Police as Lisa Smith, 43, from Slough.
Suspect Believed to Have Fallen From Dartford Crossing
Investigators linked a vehicle and firearm, found near the Dartford Crossing, to the suspect, who was reportedly known to the victim. Witnesses reported seeing a man on the wrong side of the bridge barrier later that evening, prompting fears he may have fallen into the River Thames.
Kent Police confirmed that specialist teams are focusing search efforts on recovering the suspect from the water, working alongside HM Coastguard and lifeboat crews from Gravesend.
Ongoing Investigation
A murder investigation remains active, with detectives piecing together the events leading up to the shooting. Officers are urging anyone with information to come forward.
A spokesperson for Kent Police said:
“We are conducting thorough searches of the River Thames to locate the suspect. We do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the public, and specialist officers are supporting the families of both parties involved.”
Anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from the Knockholt area on the evening of 14 February 2025 is urged to contact Kent Police on 101, quoting reference 14-0751.
