The man suspected of fatally shooting Lisa Smith outside a pub in Kent called a friend shortly after the attack and confessed to what he had done, according to reports.
Final Phone Call
The suspect, Edvard Stockings – also known as Edvard Smith – contacted his friend Leslie Thompson less than two hours after the shooting outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt on Valentine’s Day (February 14).
According to Mr. Thompson, Stockings said over the phone:
“She’s dead. I love you. I’ll see you on the other side.”
Mr. Thompson said the call convinced him that Stockings shot his wife after having a breakdown.
Gunfire and Escape to the Thames
Lisa Smith, aged 43, was shot shortly after 7:00 PM in the car park of the Three Horseshoes pub.
Nearby CCTV footage captured the sound of three gunshots, followed by shouting and screaming.
After the attack, Stockings is believed to have driven to the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, near Dartford, where he entered the River Thames.
Authorities have not yet recovered his body despite intensive searches along the river for more than three days.
Car and Gun Found on Bridge
Kent Police confirmed that a vehicle was found on the bridge containing a firearm.
Officers were also alerted by call handlers receiving reports of a man ‘on the wrong side of the barrier’ on the bridge shortly after the shooting.
Friends and Family Left ‘Bewildered’
Close friends and family say they are struggling to comprehend what happened.
“They were both the life and soul of the party. We really don’t know why he has done it. I’m baffled,” Mr. Thompson said.
He also revealed that Stockings had been deeply affected by his father’s death two years ago, saying he was “one million percent sure” that Stockings is in the river.
Tributes Left at the Pub
Ms. Smith, who also went by the surname Stockings, leaves behind two children – one in his 20s and the other younger.
A family social media post paying tribute to Lisa has received hundreds of comments, with friends and relatives expressing their heartbreak.
Outside the pub, balloons and floral tributes have been placed in her memory.
Ongoing Investigation
Kent Police continue to search the River Thames and investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 716/14FEB25.
