UK
Woman shot dead at Kent pub on Valentine’s Day named by police
A woman who was shot dead at a village pub in Kent on Valentine’s Day has been named by police.
Lisa Smith, 43, from Slough was pronounced dead outside The Three Horseshoes in Knockholt on Friday evening.
The suspect, who was known to the victim, fled in a car that was found a few hours later on the Queen Elizabeth II bridge, which crosses the River Thames in Dartford, 17 miles away.
Flowers were laid near the scene of the shooting
Detectives said a gun was discovered inside the vehicle and they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting.
In a statement on Monday, Kent Police said they believed the suspect fell from the bridge and “officers are focusing efforts on searches to recover him from the water”.
While officers said the victim and suspect were known to each other, they have not revealed how they are connected.
The murder happened in Knockholt, near Sevenoaks, and the suspect abandoned his car at the Dartford Crossing
Michelle Thomas, who runs The Three Horseshoes pub near Sevenoaks, told Sky News she heard two loud bangs that she initially “thought were fireworks” on the night of the shooting.
She described the aftermath, describing “so much commotion – screaming, shouting, crying” and adding the attack had left the community in “absolute shock”.
She said the victim, Ms Smith, had been to the pub before “mostly in the summer” but “wasn’t a regular”.
Read more from Sky News:
Polar vortex threatens US
Concerns grow for Pope’s health
Expect military cuts unless spending rises
On Saturday, there was intense activity from forensic teams in white overalls gathering evidence from the car park next to the pub.
On Saturday forensic teams were focused on a blue Seat next to the pub
Bullet casings were reportedly spotted on around the car
The focus of the investigation was bullet casings reportedly on the ground next to a blue Seat, which had a smashed front passenger window.
Over the weekend, flowers were laid outside the pub near the scene of the shooting.
Kent Police previously said: “Specialist officers continue to work with the families of both parties involved to support them following this tragic incident.”