Woman in her 40s is ‘shot’ at pub on Valentine’s Day in front of horrified customers – as attacker remains on the loose

A WOMAN was reportedly shot at a village pub on Valentine's Day in front of horrified customers with her attacker still on the loose.

Police were called to a "disturbance" at the Three Horseshoes pub on Main Road in Knockholt, Kent, just after 7pm.

Crime scene outside a pub at night; police and a tarpaulin are visible.
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A woman was reportedly shot at a village pub on Valentine's DayCredit: LNP
Police and forensics officers at a crime scene at night.
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Copes were called to a 'disturbance' at the Three Horseshoes pub in KentCredit: LNP
Forensic investigators at a crime scene at night.
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Forensics teams were seen in the Knockholt areaCredit: LNP

Officers and South East Coast Ambulance Service paramedics rushed to the scene where they found a woman in her 40s who had "suffered serious injuries".

The suspect, a man believed to be known to the victim, fled the area before officers arrived and remains at large.

A man whose daughter was in the pub at the time told KentOnline there had been a shooting.

Steve Maines, a parish councillor in Knockholt, said he had been told that shots had been fired.

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He 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."

Kent Police have launched an urgent manhunt with officers actively searching for the suspect and investigating the full circumstances of the attack.

A spokesperson said: "Kent Police was called at 7.02pm on Friday 14 February 2025 to a report of a disturbance at the Three Horseshoes pub in Main Road, Knockholt.

"Officers attended the scene along with South East Coast Ambulance Service where a woman in her 40s had suffered serious injuries.

"The suspect, a man who is believed to be known to the victim, left the area and is currently outstanding.

"Enquiries to locate him and to establish the full circumstances are ongoing."

The Sun has approached Kent Police for further information.

Police officer outside pub at night.
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The suspect, a man believed to be known to the victim, fled the area before officers arrivedCredit: LNP
Forensic officer at a crime scene.
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Emergency services arrived just after 7pm on FridayCredit: LNP
Forensic officers at a crime scene.
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Paramedics rushed to the scene where they found a woman in her 40sCredit: LNP