Nottingham attack – latest: Thousands attend vigil as families of victims embrace

Thousands of people have turned out at a vigil on the University of Nottingham‘s main campus following the deaths of medical student Grace O’Malley-Kumar and history student Barnaby Webber.

Many of those in attendance could be seen wiping away tears and the victims families could be seen consoling each other.

The university’s vice-chancellor Professor Shearer West said the lives of the two 19-year-olds had been “curtailed” by a “seemingly random” act of violence.

It comes as the man believed to be the suspect behind the Nottingham attacks tried to break into a care home moments after he killed his first victims, it has been claimed.

CCTV footage shows a man outside Seely Hirst House residential home which houses vulnerable and elderly people.

Witnesses said the man arrived at the home on Mapperley Road just after 4am and was seen allegedly trying to climb an open window.

Meanwhile, the third victim of the Nottingham attacks has been named as Ian Coates, a school caretaker in his 60s.

Key Points

• Suspect 'attempted to break in to residential home before killing'

• Third victim named as school caretaker Ian Coates

• Van used to run over three people ‘stolen from stabbing victim’

• ‘Complete devastation’: Family of student killed in Nottingham attacks condemn ‘senseless murder’

• All we know about Nottingham attacks that left three people dead in night of horror

Student says vigil has ‘brought us all together'

09:07 , Andy Gregory

Nottingham remained in shock on Tuesday as thousands of students attended a vigil for Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, two of friends taken from them too soon.

Speaking to The Independent, third-year student Clodagh Murray said that she and her friends were “in shock”.

“I think it’s brought us all together really, especially today,” she said. “I’ve never not felt safe in Nottingham and I still do feel safe. We’re all together and the university has been really supportive.”

Another vigil to be held in city centre this evening

08:50 , Andy Gregory

Nottingham is preparing for another vigil after the heartbroken families of the two students killed in the knife and van attack in the city were joined by thousands of people in their grief at the university’s main campus.

Relatives of medical student Grace O’Malley-Kumar and history student Barnaby Webber could be seen embracing at the vigil on Wednesday, as Barnaby’s father David told those gathered that “his heart will be with you guys forever”.

Nottingham City Council has now announced that a vigil will be held in the Old Market Square on Thursday from 5.30pm, with a minute’s silence at 6pm from the steps of the Council House.

Father of killed student Grace Kumar makes emotional plea at vigil

07:51 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nottingham is preparing for another vigil after the heartbroken families of the two students killed in the knife and van attack in the city were joined by thousands of people in their grief at the university’s main campus.

Relatives of medical student Grace O’Malley-Kumar and history student Barnaby Webber could be seen embracing at the vigil on Wednesday.

Barnaby’s father David told those gathered that “his heart will be with you guys forever” while Grace’s father Sanjoy told the students to look after each other.

Nottingham City Council announced that a vigil will be held in the Old Market Square on Thursday from 5.30pm, with a minute’s silence at 6pm from the steps of the Council House.

Speaking on Wednesday with David Webber’s hand on his shoulder, Mr Kumar said: “Everyone here I really, really want to thank you for your support, for taking the time to be here.

“All of you guys, everywhere that I see, a sea of people, such a lovely sign of the university and the bond you have.

“Grace was also like Barney, she loved coming up to Nottingham. In fact, we couldn’t get her down.

“I said to her last week, ‘come down’, she said ‘well, after she’s had a few more sessions’. I used to call them her crisis meetings.

“The love that we have out here, I just wish we had it everywhere. So, look after each other is the big thing.

“Look after your friends and look after people around you. It is so important.”

Watch: University of Nottingham cricket team hold two-minute silence for murdered students

07:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The University of Nottingham’s cricket team held a two-minutes silence for Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar who were fatally stabbed on Tuesday.

Nottingham attacks: A timeline of how the incident unfolded

02:00 , Joe Middleton

Three people – Barnaby Webber, Grace Kumar and Ian Coates – were killed in the Nottingham attacks.

A 31-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Here is how the incident unfolded:

Nottingham attacks: A timeline of how the incident unfolded

‘My heart goes out to the families’: Nottingham MP pays tribute to victims of attack

01:00 , Joe Middleton

Nottingham MP Lilian Greenwood has paid tribute to those who died in attacks in the city in the early hours of Tuesday, 13 June.

Ian Coates, a “beloved and respected” academy site manager, and two University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar, have been named as victims of the deadly rampage.

Three others, one of whom is in a critical condition in hospital, were injured.

“There’s nothing really I can say that’s going to make this right. It’s absolutely, desperately sad,” the Labour politician said.

‘My heart goes out to the families’: Nottingham MP pays tribute to victims of attack

Pensioner came face to face with suspect behind Nottingham killings who tried to break into his home

Wednesday 14 June 2023 23:59 , Joe Middleton

A pensioner came face to face with a man suspected to be behind the triple murders in Nottingham as he attempted to break into his bedroom.

The resident of the care home on Mapperley Road told The Independent that he “punched” his glass bay window and added: “No one’s coming in my room.”

CCTV shows a man peering through the ground floor window before being shooed away by a staff member. The incident happened at around 4am and form part of a series of deadly incidents across Nottingham.

Suella Braverman 'shocked and saddened' after Nottingham incident

Wednesday 14 June 2023 23:00 , Joe Middleton

‘You couldn’t find a nicer guy’: Sons of Ian Coates pay tribute to father

Wednesday 14 June 2023 22:00 , Joe Middleton

Two of Ian Coates’ sons have paid tribute to their father who was killed in a fatal stabbing in Nottingham on Tuesday.

Speaking of his dad, Lee Coates said: “If we had to think about it, he’d be lying in a bed with us holding his hand.

“He was due to retire in four months, he was still grafting. He wasn’t a big fella, it’s rocked everyone’s world. He would have been on his way into work.

“He was a massive Forest fan, a die hard fan - he tattooed the Forest badge on himself when he was younger.

“He was an avid fisher, a Notts angler and he was teaching underprivileged kids to try and get them away from a life of crime. You genuinely couldn’t find a nicer guy.”

His brother James added: “He was everyone’s friend, always willing to help. Nobody deserves this but he definitely didn’t.

“None of them did, it’s a tragedy. Him dying naturally in 20 to 30 years time, not dying on a street because some guy decided it’s not his day today.”

Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar: ‘Heartbroken’ tributes to talented students killed in Nottingham attacks

Wednesday 14 June 2023 20:00 , Joe Middleton

The families of two teenagers killed in the knife and van attack in Nottingham have described their “complete devastation”, as they paid tributes to their “adored” children.

The rampage in the early hours of Tuesday saw students and talented sportspeople Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar, both aged 19, fatally stabbed by an assailant, who then proceeded to knife to death school caretaker Ian Coates, before stealing his van and mowing down three others.

Families pay tribute to ‘adored’ students killed in Nottingham attacks

Anguish of families over ‘senseless’ murders on streets of Nottingham

Wednesday 14 June 2023 19:17 , Joe Middleton

Nottingham remained in shock on Tuesday as thousands of students who should be enjoying the end of their exams in the sun instead attended a vigil for two of friends taken from them too soon.

History student Barnaby Webber and medical student Grace O’Malley-Kumar were both fatally knifed on Ilkeston Road in a “seemingly random” act of violence.

In a poignant moment of embrace the families of the two students linked hands as they lay flowers at the event.

The suspect is then believed to have murdered school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, on Magdala Road before stealing his van and driving into three further victims in the city centre.

Holly Evans reports for The Independent from Nottingham.

Anguish of families over ‘senseless’ murders on streets of Nottingham

Family of Nottingham victims lay flowers at vigil attended by thousands

Wednesday 14 June 2023 19:00 , Joe Middleton

Mapped: How Nottingham’s 90 minutes of horror unfolded leaving three dead and city mourning

Wednesday 14 June 2023 18:03 , Joe Middleton

Residents living in Nottingham city centre have described woke up to a “blood-curdling scream” during a string of early morning attacks that left three people dead.

Within hours, Nottinghamshire Police declared a major incident after multiple victims were stabbed and three more were run over by a van, believed to have been stolen from one of the earlier casualties.

Two students from the University of Nottingham, Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar, were killed in the attacks on Tuesday.

How Nottingham’s 90 minutes of horror unfolded leaving three dead and city mourning

‘We had children taken from us prematurely, that should never happen to any parent’

Wednesday 14 June 2023 17:11 , Joe Middleton

Grace O’Malley-Kumar’s father thanked the thousands of people who came out to pay tribute to his daughter and Barnaby Webber.

“Everyone here I really want to thank you for your support, for taking the time to be here, all of guys everywhere, I see a sea of people. Such a lovely sign of the University and the bond you have.

“Grace was also like Barney she loved coming up to Nottingham, in fact we couldn’t get her down. I said to her last week come down and she said after she’s had a few more sessions. I used to call them her crisis meetings.

“But, you know the love we have out here, I just wish we had it everywhere. So, look after each other. The big thing is that, look after your friends and look after people around you, that is so important.

“I think Grace and her friend, they fell together, and you need to be friends with everyone and need to love everyone and I wish we had more of it.”

Stood next to Barnaby’s father, he added: “We had children taken from us prematurely, that should never happen to any parent”.

‘I’ve lost my baby boy’, Barnaby Webber’s father tells vigil

Wednesday 14 June 2023 17:03 , Joe Middleton

Fighting through tears, Barnaby Webber’s father said: “I’ve lost my baby boy and I can’t even begin to comprehend how I’m going to deal with it.

He added: “He [Barnaby] loved it here, he couldn’t wait to come back, drove me mad. His heart will be with you guys forever and thank you so much, I really can’t talk much more.”

Two lives cut short by a ‘seemingly random’ act of violence, vigil hears

Wednesday 14 June 2023 16:39 , Joe Middleton

Grant Walton, from the university chaplaincy, began the vigil by saying: “This is one of those moments which we hoped we’d never encounter.

“Students and staff of the university, community members and, most importantly, family and friends of precious Grace and Barnaby, some travelling many miles to be with us.”

The university’s vice-chancellor Professor Shearer West said the lives of the two 19-year-olds had been “curtailed” by a “seemingly random” act of violence.

Thousands turn out to pay tribute to Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber

Wednesday 14 June 2023 16:19 , Joe Middleton

Thousands of people have turned out at a vigil on the University of Nottingham‘s main campus following the deaths of medical student Grace Kumar and history student Barnaby Webber.

Crowds gathered at the top of the Djangoly steps near the university’s Portland building on Wednesday afternoon ahead of proceedings.

Many of those in attendance could be seen wiping away tears and consoling each other in a respectful silence.

Pictures show moment suspect allegedly tried to break in to care home

Wednesday 14 June 2023 16:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The man believed to be the suspect behind the Nottingham attacks tried to break into a care home moments after he killed his first victims, it has been claimed.

The photo below shows a CCTV image of a man standing outside Seely Hirst House residential home which houses vulnerable and elderly people.

The attempted break-in happened shortly after 4am, a witness has said.

‘Missed every minute and every hour'

Wednesday 14 June 2023 15:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ian Coates’ grandson left a bouquet of flowers at the scene on Magdala Road, with a note reading: “Missed every minute and every hour. We miss you dearly.”

Another of Mr Coates’ sons, James Coates, left a Nottingham Forest shirt on the pavement with a message written on it, which said: “Dad, taken too soon, rest in peace, you will be missed. Love you, J x”

In pictures: Family of Ian Coates lay flowers and signed football shirts

Wednesday 14 June 2023 15:32 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Pictures show flowers and football shirts left by the family of Ian Coates at the scene where he was found killed on Tuesday morning.

One message from his son reads: “Dad, love you. Always forever. Lee”

‘You couldn’t find a nicer guy’: Sons of Ian Coates pay tribute to father

Wednesday 14 June 2023 15:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Two of Ian Coates’ sons have paid tribute to their father who was killed in a fatal stabbing in Nottingham on Tuesday.

Speaking of his dad, Lee Coates said: “If we had to think about it, he’d be lying in a bed with us holding his hand.

“He was due to retire in four months, he was still grafting. He wasn’t a big fella, it’s rocked everyone’s world. He would have been on his way into work.

“He was a massive Forest fan, a die hard fan - he tattooed the Forest badge on himself when he was younger.

“He was an avid fisher, a Notts angler and he was teaching underprivileged kids to try and get them away from a life of crime. You genuinely couldn’t find a nicer guy.”

His brother James added: “He was everyone’s friend, always willing to help. Nobody deserves this but he definitely didn’t.

“None of them did, it’s a tragedy. Him dying naturally in 20 to 30 years time, not dying on a street because some guy decided it’s not his day today.”

Police confirm Nottingham attack victims died from knife wounds

Wednesday 14 June 2023 14:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The three victims of the Nottingham attack have been formally identified as police confirmed they all died of knife wounds.

Nottinghamshire Police said University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both aged 19, died after having been stabbed.

Ian Coates, 65, was later found dead from knife injuries in Magdala Road after he was attacked and had his van stolen.

Grace Kumar’s family pay tribute to ‘truly wonderful and beautiful young lady'

Wednesday 14 June 2023 14:44 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Grace Kumar’s family have released a statement paying tribute to a “lovely person” who was “resilient and wise beyond her years”.

Grace was a first-year medical student, was a talented hockey player who was described as ‘a popular member of the England U16 and U18 squads’. She also played for the university.

Her family said: “Grace was an adored daughter and sister; she was a truly wonderful and beautiful young lady.

“Grace was not just a sister to James but his best friend. He is completely heartbroken. As parents, words cannot explain our complete and utter devastation. She will be so dearly missed.

“We were so incredibly proud of Grace’s achievements and what a truly lovely person she was. She was resilient and wise beyond her years. Grace was so happy in life fulfilling her ambition of studying to become a doctor whilst playing topflight hockey at university.

“She leaves behind devastated extended family and friends. We request that all media outlets stop invading our privacy while we face this sorrow.”

Barnaby Webber’s family pay tribute to ‘beautiful, brilliant, bright young man'

Wednesday 14 June 2023 14:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Barnaby Webber’s family have paid tribute to the talented young cricketer “with everything in life to look forward to”.

In a statement, his family said: “Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son.

“Barnaby Philip John Webber was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to. He was a talented and passionate cricketer, who was over the moon to have made selection to his university cricket team.

“At 19 he was just at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man.

“As parents we are enormously proud of everything he achieved and all the plans he had made.

“His brother is bereft beyond belief, and at this time we ask for privacy as a family to be allowed time to process and grieve.

“We will not be making any further statements, particularly in relation to the police investigation. We are so proud to release this photograph, chosen by us as a family, of an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend.

“Thank you for your understanding, and to everyone who has supported us in this awful journey so far.”

Labour MP pays tribute to ‘unity and resilience’ of people in Nottingham

Wednesday 14 June 2023 14:29 , Joe Middleton

Labour’s Nadia Whittome, the MP for Nottingham East, paid tribute to the “unity and resilience” of the people of her city Nottingham.

She said in the Commons: “I’d like to send my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of yesterday’s attacks and to wish a full recovery to those injured. I would also like to thank the emergency services who’ve been working tirelessly responding to this tragic incident, including the first responders who battled to save lives at the scene.

“Nottingham is devastated by the deaths of three residents of our city: Grace Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates. It was incredibly moving to join the vigil yesterday at St Peter’s Church, where hundreds of people came together in grief, among them many students who lost two much loved members of their community.

“Will the Home Secretary join me in paying tribute to the people of Nottingham, to their unity and resilience at this painful time?”

Suella Braverman replied: “(She) speaks with passion and care for her constituents and I echo the sentiment that she’s expressed.

“The people of Nottingham will be shaken beyond belief over the events over the last few days. We are with them as a nation and we stand by them, with them and we will support them in all ways that they need.”

Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar: ‘Heartbroken’ tributes to talented students killed in Nottingham attack

Wednesday 14 June 2023 14:06 , Joe Middleton

The family of a teenager killed in the knife and van attack in Nottingham have described their “complete devastation” as they condemned the “senseless murder” of their son.

The rampage in the early hours of Tuesday saw students and talented sportspeople Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar, both aged 19, fatally stabbed by an assailant, who then proceeded to knife to death school caretaker Ian Coates, before stealing his van and mowing down three others.

Nottingham Police have arrested a 31-year-old suspect on suspicion of murder, after subduing him with a Taser, and are said to be working with counterterror officers to establish a potential motive.

“Heartbroken” tributes have now been paid to the two students killed in the attack, who family and friends left “bereft beyond belief” described as having “everything in life to look forward to”.

Andy Gregory reports.

Devastated family of teenager killed in Nottingham attacks condemn ‘senseless murder’

University of Nottingham pays tribute to Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber

Wednesday 14 June 2023 13:50 , Joe Middleton

The University of Nottingham has paid tribute to two of its students killed in the Nottingham attacks, describing Barnaby Webber as “fun, friendly, and full of life” and saying that Grace Kumar was “held in the highest regard by her tutors and team mates alike”.

In a statement, university Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West said: “It is hard to find the words to express the shock and grief felt across our institution at the senseless loss of two first year students who have had their bright futures brutally curtailed by a seemingly random act of violence.

“Grace was a medical student, thriving in her first year of study and inspired to a career in medicine by work placements in a GP surgery and her volunteering for the nationwide vaccination programme during the Covid-19 pandemic. She was a talented sportswoman, playing international hockey for both the U16 and U18 England Hockey Team and Essex U15 Women’s Cricket. She was held in the highest regard by her tutors and team mates alike.

“Barnaby was a history student, with a particular personal interest in geopolitics of both the USA and China. His tutors recall his energy as a student and as fun, friendly, and full of life in his seminars. He too was a sporting talent, playing hockey, rugby and cricket for his school and local clubs and excelling at sports at Nottingham. His role in the Combined Cadet Forces also saw him exhibit his volunteering and leadership skills.

“The university is supporting Grace and Barnaby’s families at this immensely difficult time, and I hope to meet them privately today to express my deep condolences and continue to offer every support at our disposal - although I recognise that nothing will compensate for the loss of a cherished daughter and son.

“I will also join the families at our campus vigil on the Djanogly Terrace at 4pm, where I hope as many of our staff and student community as possible can attend to remember our fellow students and show our support for their families.

“Against this backdrop of deep sadness and loss, I hope we can draw some comfort from the public reaction locally, nationally, and indeed globally to this dreadful crime. Nottingham is a wonderful and distinctive city, and our University and civic communities are united both in our grief and in our knowledge that this terrible act is not what our city is about.”

Mapped: How Nottingham’s 90 minutes of horror unfolded leaving three dead and city mourning

Wednesday 14 June 2023 13:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Residents living in Nottingham city centre have described woke up to a “blood-curdling scream” during a string of early morning attacks that left three people dead.

Within hours, Nottinghamshire Police declared a major incident after multiple victims were stabbed and three more were run over by a van, believed to have been stolen from one of the earlier casualties.

Below we look at how the tragic events unfolded over an hour and a half:

How Nottingham’s 90 minutes of horror unfolded leaving three dead and city mourning

Timeline of what happened on Tuesday morning

Wednesday 14 June 2023 13:32 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nottinghamshire Police have pieced together a timeline of events that happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning:

They said: “It is known that a man attacked two University of Nottingham students with a knife on Ilkeston Road on Tuesday 13 June.

“A call was made to police at 4.04am.

“Police quickly attended and found a male and female student, aged 19, in the street unresponsive.

“Investigations have then revealed that a man matching the description of the suspect had attempted to gain entry to a supported living complex in Mapperley Road but had been denied entry.

“This incident was not reported to the police at the time.

“Police believe the suspect has then attacked a man and stolen his van.

“A call was received by a member of the public and upon police attendance he was found deceased on Magdala Road with knife injuries.

“The stolen van was then used by the suspect to run over three members of the public in the Milton Street area.”

Suspect 'attempted to break in to residential home before killing'

Wednesday 14 June 2023 13:13 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The man believed to be the suspect behind the Nottingham attacks tried to break into a care home moments before he killed his first victims, it has been claimed.

CCTV footage shows a man looking for a way to enter Seely Hirst House residential home which houses vulnerable and homeless people.

Witnesses said he arrived at the home on Mapperley Road just after 4am and was seen trying to climb an open window.

Alex Pridmore, the trustee of All Saints Shelter which operates the residential care home said: “None of our residents were hurt. A resident had woken up during the night and the footage showed someone trying to gain access through a ground floor window at about 4am”.

He added “a resident had woke up and shut the window and prevented the man from coming in. The CCTV has been provided to the police.”

After failing to enter the home, the man then left the property.

Wednesday 14 June 2023 12:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Making a statement on Tuesday’s fatal attacks, Suella Braverman told the Commons: “I know that the whole House will join me in expressing our sorrow, and that our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families, friends and all those affected.

“All of us extend a hand of friendship to the people of Nottingham. I’m of course being kept fully informed by law enforcement on the ground and receiving regular updates.”

She added: “The House will appreciate the critical importance of following due process at all times. It’s completely natural to seek answers immediately when something terrible happens.

“But it’s also vital that those answers are wholly accurate. Speculating out loud is never helpful and runs the risk of being counterproductive.

She added: “I can tell the House that the police are working flat out to establish the full facts and provide support to everyone affected. They are currently keeping an open mind as to the motives behind these attacks but I can confirm Nottinghamshire Police are being assisted in their inquiries by counter terror police.

“Though, this does not mean that it is currently being treated as a terrorist attack.”

The Home Secretary has cautioned people against speculating about the attacks in Nottingham, saying it “runs the risk of being counterproductive”.

NHS England chief executive pays tribute to first responders

Wednesday 14 June 2023 12:46 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard paid tribute to first responders during the Nottingham attacks.

Speaking at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in the city, she said: “I would also like to say a special thank you to the ambulance crews and other NHS and emergency service staff who responded to the appalling tragedy in Nottingham yesterday.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with those injured and killed, along with their friends and loved ones.

“This terrible incident is a reminder of the bravery of paramedics and other ‘blue-light’ staff who can never know what they will be confronted with when they leave their home and their loved ones to clock on for their shift.”

Home secretary makes statement in House of Commons on attack

Wednesday 14 June 2023 12:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The home secretary Suella Braverman is making a statement in the House of Commons following yesterday’s attacks.

She has confirmed that Nottinghamshire Police are being supported by the counter-terrorism police, but clarified that this “does not mean the situation is being treated as a terror attack”.

‘Every parent’s worst nightmare'

Wednesday 14 June 2023 12:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak has said he has been “moved” by tributes from the families of the victims.

Commenting on the attacks, the prime minister said: “This is an extraordinarily difficult time and every parent’s worst nightmare.”

Staff from Nottinghamshire Hospice lay flowers at scene

Wednesday 14 June 2023 12:33 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Staff from Nottinghamshire Hospice lay a bouquet of flowers at the scene where Ian Coates was found killed on Magdala Road.

Rishi Sunak thanks emergency services for response to Nottingham attack

Wednesday 14 June 2023 12:14 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Prime minister Rishi Sunak said the thoughts of all in the House of Commons are with the injured and the families of those who lost their lives in Nottingham.

Speaking at the start of Prime Minister’s Questions, he said: “I know the whole House will want to thank the emergency services for their ongoing response to the shocking incident in Nottingham yesterday.

“Our thoughts are with those injured and with the families of those who lost their lives.”

Bancroft School in east London ‘desperately shocked and saddened’ by death of Grace Kumar

Wednesday 14 June 2023 12:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Bancroft’s School in north-east London, where Grace Kumar was a student until last year, said in a statement on its website: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death in Nottingham under tragic circumstances of one of our recent leavers from 2022, Grace O’Malley Kumar.

“We are desperately shocked and saddened by Grace’s sudden death in these truly terrible circumstances. She left Bancroft’s only last year and was a hugely important part of our community.

“An immensely gifted and dedicated scholar and sportswoman, she was hugely loved and greatly respected and admired by all. She was outstanding in every respect and will be missed terribly.

“It will take everyone in the Bancroft’s community a considerable time to come to terms with this shocking news, but above all our thoughts are with Grace’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

What we know so far about the victims of Tuesday’s attack in Nottingham

Wednesday 14 June 2023 11:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Two 19-year-old students from Nottingham University were found fatally stabbed on Ilkeston Road shortly after 4am on Tuesday.

They have been named as Barnaby Walker, from Taunton, Somerset and Grace Kumar.

Barnaby had been selected for his university’s cricket team and has left behind devastated parents and a younger brother who is “beyond bereft”.

Grace was a talented sportwoman who had played hockey for England under-16 and under-18 squads and Southgate Hockey club.

The third victim of the heinous attack was named this morning as Ian Coates, a school caretaker in his 60s from Nottingham.

He was found killed on Magdala Road in the early hours of Tuesday.

Three more people were run over by a white van on Milton Street. Two suffered minor injuries and one is in critical condition in hospital.

School ‘deeply saddened’ by death of caretaker Ian Coates

Wednesday 14 June 2023 11:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The L.E.A.D. Academy Trust and Huntingdon Academy have said they are “deeply saddened” to confirm the death of their school site manager, Ian Coates.

Headteacher Ross Middleton said: “Ian was a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile for the benefit of our children and will be greatly missed.

“As a school community, it will take time to process this deeply upsetting news. We wish to extend our sympathy and condolences to all those affected by yesterday’s tragic events.”

Diana Owen CBE, CEO of L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about this tragic news.

“Ian was a beloved and respected member of the Huntingdon Academy staff. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this extremely sad time.”

Third victim named as school caretaker Ian Coates

Wednesday 14 June 2023 11:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The third victim of the Nottingham attacks has been named as Ian Coates, a school caretaker in his 60s.

Mr Coates was found dead after being stabbed on Magdala Road in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

On a nearby road, two 19-year-old students, Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar of Nottingham University, were also fatally stabbed.

Taunton School says they are ‘heartbroken’ by ‘utterly devastating’ news of student’s death

Wednesday 14 June 2023 11:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Taunton School said the death of former pupil Barnaby Webber, one of the university students killed in the Nottingham attacks on Tuesday, is “utterly devastating”.

A statement on its website said: “The Taunton School community is heartbroken by the recent, tragic news about Barnaby Webber.

“Barnaby joined us in the nursery and studied here all the way through to the end of the sixth form, leaving just last year.

“In his long association with the school, he touched the lives of many staff, pupils and parents and his loss will be very difficult to come to terms with.

“He was a much-loved, kind and engaging character. That a young man of such promise should lose his life in these circumstances is utterly devastating.

“We send our love and deepest condolences to his family. We continue to do all we can to support them and all in our community affected by these events.

“When the time comes, we will find a fitting way in which to remember Barnaby and his special contribution to our school.”

UK police hunt motive in Nottingham attack as friends mourn student athlete victims

Wednesday 14 June 2023 10:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police worked Wednesday to piece together details of a knife and van attack that killed two 19-year-old students and another man in the English city of Nottingham, as friends and family remembered the two younger victims as talented athletes with a passion for life.

Nottingham University students Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar were stabbed to death in a street near student housing before dawn on Tuesday.

Police say a 31-year-old suspect also killed a man in his 50s more than a mile (1.6 kilometers) away, stole his van and ran down a group of pedestrians. Three people were hurt, one critically, in the hit-and-run.

Police subdued the suspect with a stun gun nearby and detained him on suspicion of murder. Police said they believe the attacker acted alone and were working with counterterrorism officers to try to establish a motive.

The attack has not been labeled terrorism by the authorities, and police are investigating issues including the suspect’s mental health.

UK police hunt motive in Nottingham attack as friends mourn student athlete victims

Essex cricket players to wear black armbands and hold minute’s silence

Wednesday 14 June 2023 10:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Essex Cricket has tweeted that clubs and officials will wear black armbands and hold a minute’s silence to honour the lives of Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber who were killed in Nottingham on Tuesday.

‘An unspeakable and unthinkable tragedy'

Wednesday 14 June 2023 10:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The attacks in Nottingham are “an unspeakable and unthinkable tragedy”, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting has said.

Speaking to Sky News this morning, the Labour MP said he “cannot imagine” what the families and friends of the victims are going through.

“People are really struggling to process this and comprehend the news,” he said.

“At this stage we have to await the outcome of the police investigation to understand the motive of the attacker and see what news emerges.”

Mr Streeting went on to say this was a “desperately sad time for the people of Nottingham”.