A woman killed in a pub car park on Valentine’s Day had been drinking inside before being shot, it has emerged.
A manhunt is continuing today after police were called to The Three Horseshoes in Knockholt, near Sevenoaks, on Friday.
Michelle Thomas, who runs the pub, has told Sky News she was preparing for the Valentine’s Day dinner service when she heard two gunshots just after 7pm.
She said the victim, who is in her 40s, had been to the pub before but “wasn’t a regular”.
“There was so much commotion – screaming, shouting, crying,” she said.
“People were only just starting to sit down, it was early on in the evening.”
Ms Thomas praised the work of an “amazing” off-duty firearms officer who intervened.
She said 50 people were in the pub at the time and confirmed it would be reopening today after remaining closed yesterday (Saturday).
In a statement, the landlady added: “We 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.
“Please be respectful of everyone involved at this difficult time, thank you.”
Both the victim and suspect are understood to have local connections, but are not from Kent.
Police are continuing to investigate whether the suspect, who is believed to be known to the victim, may have entered the River Thames after leaving the scene.
Officers attended the Dartford Crossing just before midnight on Friday, where a vehicle linked to the incident was recovered, alongside a firearm.
The force said it was not ruling out the possibility the suspect may have entered the water, after call handlers received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector David Higham, said: “We are currently only looking for one suspect and do not believe there to be an ongoing risk to the public.
“Specialist officers continue to work with the families of both parties involved to support them following this tragic incident.”
Following the incident, a blue tent was erected near the pub and both Main Road and Pound Lane were sealed off by police but the cordon has now been removed.
It is understood the pub reopened today, but only for villagers.
The first tributes appeared at the site yesterday afternoon as the cordon was lifted, with more being left overnight.
Laura Trott, Conservative MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley said she was “devastated” to hear about the incident.
Floral tributes, Red Bull cans and a small teddy bear have been laid outside the pub.
