On the evening of Friday, February 14, 2024, a tragic incident unfolded in the quiet village of Knockholt, Kent, leaving the community in shock and grief. What was supposed to be a peaceful Valentine’s Day evening turned deadly when a woman in her 40s was fatally shot outside the Three Horseshoes pub, a local establishment on Main Road. The suspect, believed to be known to the victim, fled the scene, and police have since launched a murder investigation. As the probe continues, authorities have revealed that the suspect may have attempted to evade capture by entering the water at the Dartford Crossing, a major transportation hub in Kent. While the suspect’s whereabouts remain uncertain, police have reassuringly stated that they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to public safety at this time.
The incident occurred outside the pub during the early evening, a time when locals might have been gathering for a drink or a meal. After the shooting, the suspect is thought to have left the area, and police later discovered a vehicle linked to the crime, along with a firearm, near the Dartford Crossing. Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector David Higham confirmed that officers received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier at the crossing, prompting concerns that he may have entered the water. However, authorities emphasized that they are currently focusing on identifying only one suspect and do not believe the public is in immediate danger.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the small, close-knit community of Knockholt, where such violent incidents are exceedingly rare. Neither the suspect nor the victim are believed to be from Kent, though both are thought to have local connections. The scene of the crime, the Three Horseshoes pub, was cordoned off as forensic teams in white overalls worked to gather evidence. A blue Seat car, parked at the entrance to the pub’s car park, became a focal point of the investigation. A tarpaulin was placed next to the vehicle, likely to preserve evidence, while the passenger-side window of the car was found shattered, with glass fragments scattered around the ground. What appeared to be bullet casings were also spotted near the scene, and yellow evidence markers were placed in strategic locations to identify key points of interest.
Local residents, who were in the pub or nearby at the time of the shooting, shared their harrowing accounts of the events. John Webb, a patron who was enjoying a meal inside the pub when the shooting occurred, recalled hearing a commotion outside around 7 p.m. “And then we heard someone had been shot,” he told Sky News correspondent Mollie Malone. Webb and other diners were later escorted out of the premises by authorities, as police secure the area to conduct their investigation. Another resident, Vicky Hesketh, described the distressing scene she witnessed. “I saw someone on the floor being given CPR by paramedics,” she said, her voice reflecting the shock and sorrow that permeated the village.
The shooting has deeply shaken the residents of Knockholt, a village described as “really typical, normal” by Hesketh. “Everyone knows everyone,” she added, emphasizing the close-knit nature of the community. Such a violent act, particularly in a place where residents feel a strong sense of safety and familiarity, has left many struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. The investigation is ongoing, and police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. While the suspect’s fate remains unclear, authorities continue to explore all possible leads, including the possibility that he may have attempted to escape by entering the water at the Dartford Crossing. For now, the village of Knockholt mourns the loss of a life and grapples with the unsettling reality of such an sudden and violent event.
As the police work tirelessly to piece together the events of that fateful evening, the community of Knockholt remains united in grief and solidarity. The shooting serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unexpected nature of tragedy. While the investigation continues, residents are left to process their emotions and find comfort in the tight bonds that define their village. In the days and weeks ahead, the focus will not only be on bringing justice to the victim and her loved ones but also on healing and rebuilding a sense of normalcy in a place where such violence seemed unimaginable.
