A woman was shot dead at a village pub in Kent last night as local police continue a manhunt in search of the gunman.

Police began searching for the man after the incident unfolded last night near Sevenoaks, Kent.


Emergency services were summoned to the scene of the crime at the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt following reports a woman had suffered serious injuries just after 7pm.

Police searching for the murderer have located a vehicle which contains a gun along the Dartford Crossing.

Kent pub shooting

Emergency services were summoned to the scene of the crime at the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt

PA

Kent pub shooting

A woman was shot dead at a village pub in Kent last night as local police continue a manhunt in search of the gunman

PA

Kent pub shooting

The suspect was a man who was known to the victim, police said

PA

The suspect was a man who was known to the victim, police said.

In a statement, Kent Police said it was “called at 7.02pm on Friday February 14 2025 to a report of a disturbance at the Three Horseshoes pub in Main Road, Knockholt”.

Attending the scene with South East Coast Ambulance Service, the force announced that officers attended with the scene to tend to a woman in her 40s who had “suffered injuries consistent with gunshot wounds”.

The woman was declared dead at the scene as a murder investigation has been launched into her death.

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The police confirmed that her next of kin has been informed, adding: “As part of inquiries, officers attended the Dartford Crossing where a vehicle linked to the incident was recovered, alongside a firearm.

“Inquiries are ongoing to identify and locate all persons potentially involved.”

Parish councillor Steve Maines told the BBC: “We were sitting having our Valentine’s Day meal when all of a sudden we heard this huge commotion outside in the car park.

“We were told someone had been shot so we had to leave.”

Kent pub shooting

The Three Horseshoes’ pubs announced on Facebook that the venue would stay shut on Saturday

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The Three Horseshoes’ pubs announced on Facebook that the venue would stay shut on Saturday after a “tragic incident outside the pub last night”.

They said that they hope to “open on Sunday as usual”, thanking their customers.

Pictures show forensic teams studying the scene of the shooting surrounding the pub’s car park, carrying plastic bags.

Officials have condoned off nearby streets around the local pub, which is around fives miles from the commuter town of Sevenoaks.