A woman shot dead outside a pub on Valentine’s Day is thought to have been a mother of two, it has emerged – as police hunting a suspect probed a potential murder-suicide theory.
The victim, named locally as Lisa and who was in her 40s, died from gunshot wounds after an attack outside the Three Horseshoes pub in the village of Knockholt, near Sevenoaks in Kent, on Friday.
Many floral tributes were today being left at the scene as locals told of their shock at the tragedy, while also telling MailOnline she had two children.
Kent Police have also revealed that the suspect in the fatal shooting, which happened around 7pm on Friday, ‘may have entered the water’ at the Dartford Crossing afterwards.
The force said a man they were looking for, believed to be known to the victim, left the area and a car and gun were later found at the Queen Elizabeth II bridge.
Officers later received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector David Higham, said: ‘Call handlers received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier and we are not ruling out the possibility that he may have entered the water.
‘We are currently only looking for one suspect and do not believe there to be an ongoing risk to the public.
Floral tributes as well as cans of Red Bull have been left in honour of a woman shot dead outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, near Sevenoaks in Kent
Kent Police officers have been carrying out investigations after being called on Friday at 7pm
The victim in her 40s died from gunshot wounds after Friday’s attack in the Kent village
‘Specialist officers continue to work with the families of both parties involved to support them following this tragic incident.’
It is understood neither the suspect or victim were from Kent but had local connections to the area.
Officers had been just after 7pm on Friday and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Locals today described her as a mother of two, while not only flowers but also cans of Red Bull were laid in her honour close to the pub – and mourners attending the scene were seen crying.
Eve Hussey, 62, who lives locally, told MailOnline: ‘We were horrified we heard about it on the news. We go past here for all our comings and goings and it’s just such quiet village.’
Rev Tim Edwards, vicar of St Katharine’s Church in the village, said: ‘I think the main thing is shock – shock is the word I’ve heard repeatedly from people that sense of disbelief. It’s not what you would expect in a village like this.’
Thivi Selva, who was working at neighbouring Knockholt Village Store, told MailOnline: ‘I heard bangs and people crying outside – 20 minutes later police came and blocked the road.
‘I heard gunshots – I thought they were fireworks.’
The victim was declared deceased at the scene, while Kent Police confirmed that her family had been informed
Alice Caiger, 19, said: ‘It feels really weird because it’s a small town, it’s weird that something like that could happen.
‘I came home from a nice quiet weekend outside of London and this was what I get instead so it is shocking.’
She said of the pub where the tragedy happened: ‘We’d go on a Friday night and there would be 10 people max in there.’
A local who regularly goes to the pub said: ‘It’s tucked away – it’s a rural village, it’s in the middle of blooming nowhere, farmlands and stables. We’re tucked by the M25, it’s semi rural.
‘It is a Valentine’s venue – you either come here for a drink or more likely for Valentine’s Day.’
The pub was open today but staff said they too were traumatised by what had happened, while a statement was posted on the venue’s Facebook page paying tribute to the victim.
The message stated: ‘All of us at the Three Horseshoes want to send our sincere condolences to the victim’s family and friends.
‘We also want to send our support to anyone else in the local and surrounding community who have been impacted by this.
Forensic officers have been working both day and night at the scene in Knockholt
Locals have spoken about the ‘shock’ felt across the community following the killing
‘Please be respectful of everyone involved at this difficult time, thank you.’
Knockholt Parish councillor Steve Maines earlier 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.’
A blue Seat car in the pub car park was removed from the murder scene by police and taken away via loader lorry yesterday.
MailOnline has contacted Kent Police today for further comment.
