A woman was shot dead outside a pub in Kent on Valentine’s Day, with her partner as the main suspect. The community is in shock as investigations continue.
A tragic incident unfolded in Knockholt, Kent, on Valentine’s Day when a woman was shot dead outside The Three Horseshoes pub. The victim has been identified as 43-year-old Lisa Smith from Slough, who was reportedly enjoying dinner with the pub’s usual clientele when the shooting took place shortly after 7pm on Friday.
Witnesses at the scene described a chaotic atmosphere as patrons reacted to the gunfire. Michelle Thomas, the landlady of The Three Horseshoes, recounted the moment stating, “People were only just starting to sit down, it was early on in the evening.” Eyewitness accounts reported people “screaming, shouting and crying” as the reality of the situation unfolded. An off-duty firearms officer who was present intervened to help control the situation.
The police have indicated that Lisa Smith’s partner, identified locally as Edvard Smith, is the main suspect in the shooting. Following the incident, he is believed to have driven to the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Dartford to Essex across the Thames, before allegedly jumping into the river. Law enforcement officials have stated that they retrieved a car and a firearm in the vicinity of the bridge, but it remains unconfirmed whether the gun was legally possessed. Searches to locate Edvard Smith continue, as he has not been found since the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector David Higham commented on the unfolding investigation, affirming that reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier near the bridge do not rule out the possibility that he has entered the water. He stated, “We are currently only looking for one suspect and do not believe there to be an ongoing risk to the public.” Efforts are also being made to support the families involved during this difficult period.
In the aftermath, relatives of Lisa Smith visited the site where flowers were laid in her honour, alongside other tributes such as cans of Red Bull. One family member remarked, “She was a beautiful lady and a wonderful mother. We don’t know what’s happened. Nobody does. It’s still a shock.” The community, characterised by its usual calmness, has expressed feelings of disbelief regarding the violence that erupted in their typically quiet village.
Local residents, such as Rev Tim Edwards from St Katharine’s Church, have reflected on the shocking nature of such an event occurring in a small village, with many sharing a similar sentiment of disbelief. Eyewitness accounts reveal that as diners celebrated Valentine’s Day, the sudden commotion of gunfire shattered the tranquillity, altering the lives of those present and the local community significantly.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the subsequent events, with a focused effort on ensuring the safety and support of all involved.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/crime/kent-shooting-valentines-day-woman-dead-pub-b2699079.html – This article corroborates the details of the shooting incident at The Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent, including the time and location of the event, and the reactions of witnesses and local authorities.
- https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2025-02-16/landlady-of-pub-where-woman-was-fatally-shot-heard-loud-bangs-like-fireworks – This news piece supports the account of Michelle Thomas, the landlady of The Three Horseshoes, who described hearing loud bangs during the incident, and provides additional context about the scene and police response.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This source is mentioned as the origin of the article but does not provide additional external corroboration beyond the text itself.
- https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sevenoaks/news/valentines-day-shooting-investigation-continues-284741/ – This article would likely provide further details on the ongoing investigation and local reactions to the shooting, though it is not directly available in the search results.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-64512345 – This BBC news article would typically cover the incident, providing eyewitness accounts and updates from local authorities, though it is not directly available in the search results.
- https://www.sky.com/news – Sky News would likely have coverage of the incident, including interviews with witnesses like Michelle Thomas, though specific articles are not listed in the search results.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The incident occurred on Valentine’s Day, indicating recent news. There is no evidence of recycled content from older articles.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from Michelle Thomas and Detective Chief Inspector David Higham are included, but their earliest known references could not be verified online. The family member’s quote lacks a specific source.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from WalesOnline, a reputable regional news outlet. However, specific details about the investigation and quotes might require further corroboration.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the shooting and subsequent events are plausible given the context of a criminal investigation. However, some details, such as the legal status of the firearm, remain unconfirmed.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and based on a plausible incident. Quotes are included but lack early online references. The source is generally reliable, contributing to a high confidence level in the overall assessment.
