Mother-of-two shot dead outside Kent pub on Valentine's Day
Tragic Shooting at Knockholt Pub
A mother-of-two was gunned down outside The Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent, at around 7pm on Friday, February 14. The victim, named locally as Lisa, was shot in broad daylight, shocking this quiet village. Locals have since left floral tributes — and even cans of Red Bull — at the scene in mourning.
Eyewitnesses Recall Horror
Michelle Thomas, the landlady of the pub, described the chilling moments before the shooting unfolded.
“I was printing menus and getting ready for the Valentine’s dinner when I heard two loud bangs. At first, I thought they were fireworks. Then came screaming, shouting, crying. People were outside, glued to their phones, completely stunned.”
She added there were about 30 diners in the restaurant and 20 more in the bar when the gunshots rang out. An off-duty firearms officer was in the pub and immediately stepped in to secure the scene.
Suspected Murder-Suicide under Investigation
Kent Police are probing whether the gunman, believed to be known to Lisa, later killed himself.
- A car linked to the shooting was found abandoned on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing with a firearm inside.
- Officers received reports of a man walking on the wrong side of the barrier, raising fears he may have jumped into the River Thames.
Detective Chief Inspector David Higham said:
“We are not ruling out the suspect entering the water. We are only looking for one suspect and don’t believe there is any ongoing public danger.”
Community Left Reeling
The harrowing murder has rocked the peaceful village of Knockholt. Locals are struggling to come to terms with the shocking violence.
Local vicar Rev Tim Edwards said: “The main thing I’ve heard from people is shock. There’s a sense of disbelief. It’s not what you would expect in a village like this.”
One resident added: “I heard bangs and people crying outside. Twenty minutes later, police blocked the road. I thought the gunshots were fireworks.”
Tributes Pile Up for Lisa
Though her full identity has yet to be officially confirmed, locals say Lisa was a loving mother of two who had visited the pub before but wasn’t a regular patron.
The Three Horseshoes’ official Facebook page posted a heartfelt message:
“All of us at The Three Horseshoes want to send our sincere condolences to the victim’s family and friends. We also want to offer support to anyone in the local community affected by this. Please respect everyone involved during this difficult time.”
Ongoing Police Search and Investigation
- Police are continuing to search the River Thames for the missing suspect.
- Forensic teams remain at the pub, combing for evidence.
- A blue Seat car found in the pub’s car park was seized by police on Saturday as part of the murder investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Kent Police on 101, quoting incident reference 14/02/2025, or call Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
