Man suspected of fatally shooting woman outside pub on Valentine’s Day rang friend and said 'she's dead'

The man suspected of fatally shooting a woman outside of The Three Horseshoes pub on Valentine’s Day called his friends afterwards and said 'she's dead', the BBC has been told.

Lisa Smith was shot dead in the pub's car park in Knockholt, Kent, shortly after 7pm on 14 February.

Less than two hours after the fatal shooting, Edvard Stockings (who is also known by the surname Smith) reportedly called Leslie Thompson and told him: "She's dead, I love you. I'll see you on the other side."

Thompson explained to the BBC that the call had convinced him Stockings shot (who he said was) his wife after having 'a breakdown'.

He added that his phone rang at about 8:50pm as he claims Stockings told him: "I can't live, we've all gone together," and that "armed police will probably shoot me."

Emergency services were called just after 7pm on Friday (PA)

Police say officers believe the suspected shooter then drove to the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, near Dartford and then entered the River Thames. Call handlers are said to have received reports of a man 'on the wrong side of the barrier' on the bridge.

After over three days of searches along the Thames, his body has not been found.

Police also say officers found a vehicle on the bridge which contained a gun and it is not yet clear if this was legally owned.

Thompson added that he had known Stockings for over 30 years and that the shooting did not make any sense as he said: "They were both the life and soul of the party. We really don't know why he has done it. I'm baffled."

Lisa Smith, from Slough, was shot dead in the car park (Facebook)

Landlady of The Three Horseshoes, Michelle Thomas described customers 'screaming, shouting and crying' as they realised what had happened on Friday.

She added to Sky News that she was preparing for dinner service when she head two loud bangs outside that she'd initially thought were fireworks.

“People were only just starting to sit down, it was early on in the evening,” she said.

Thomas also described how an off-duty firearms officer intervened to get the situation under control.

She added that Lisa had been to the pub before but 'wasn’t a regular'. Police have said that the suspect was known to the victim.

There reportedly had not been any prior contact between the police and the victim or suspect.

Kent Police have said they 'are continuing to search areas of the River Thames.'