Nottingham: Student victims named after three stabbed to death in van and knife attacks
Three people have died and a further three injured after a major incident and series of attacks across Nottingham
Two students who were stabbed to death have been named after three people were killed in a van and knife attack in Nottingham.
Barnaby Webber, 19, and Grace Kumar, 19, and a man in his 50s were fatally stabbed on June 13.
A further three people were hit by a van, which has left one man in critical condition in hospital and two others with minor injuries.
A 31-year-old man was Tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder.
Nottinghamshire Police said it was not looking for anyone else in connection with the attacks.
Counter-terrorism police are assisting the investigation, but officers in Nottingham said they are keeping an “open mind” over the motive for the attack.
Major roads across Nottingham were closed throughout the day and the city’s transport network ground to a halt with tram services suspended and buses diverted.
‘Senseless murder’
The victims have not yet been formally identified by police, but Mr Webber, a student at the University of Nottingham, has been named by his family.
In a statement, they 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.
“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.”
Bishops Hull Cricket Club in Somerset, where Mr Webber was a keen cricketer, said “his memory will live on”.
In a tribute, they added: “‘Webbs’ joined the club back in 2021 and has since then been a key part of our club and made such an impact in such a short space of time.”
Grace Kumar has been named locally as the second student victim. The man in his 50s has not yet been formally identified.
England Hockey said it was “deeply saddened” by Ms Kumar’s death.
“Grace was a popular member of the England U16 and U18 squads and our thoughts are with Grace’s family, friends, teammates and the whole hockey community at this time,” it added.
‘Sad day for Nottingham’
Nottinghamshire Police were called to Ilkeston Road shortly after 4am where the two students were found fatally stabbed.
A man in his 50s was found dead by a member of the public on Magdala Road.
Officers believe a van was stolen from the man and driven into three people on Milton Street at around 5.30am.
The vehicle was later stopped on Maples Street where the suspect was Tasered and detained.
Lynn Haggitt witnessed the incident on her way to work.
“[A] white van was coming slowly just past the Theatre Royal with a police car behind it,” she said. “I looked round to see if the police car was chasing him and I saw the white van go straight into two people.
“A man went up into the air and a woman went into the road. Then [the driver] backed up and sped away.”
Nic Chuter lives on Mapperley Road, close to where a man was found dead on Magdala Road.
The former emergency planner said the road was cordoned off when they woke up at around 6am and they could see what looked like a “tent and forensic team”.
Mr Chuter was met by armed police officers when they left the house and “could only get out on foot as the cars are part of a crime scene”.
Forensic teams were pictured searching a white van on the corner of Bentinck Road and Maples Street in Radford for much of yesterday afternoon.
Kate Meynell, chief constable of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This is a very sad day for our city and we will do everything possible for the victims and their families.”
‘Absolutely Tragic’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “My thoughts are with those injured, and the family and loved ones of those who have lost their lives.”
French President Emmanuel Macron and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby shared their condolences following the attacks.
Ben Bradley, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The incident in Nottingham is absolutely tragic.”
In a joint statement, Nottingham’s three MPs - Lilian Greenwood, Nadia Whittome and Alex Norris - said the city had been “devastated” by the attacks.
A book of condolence has been opened and the flag on Nottingham’s Council House has been lowered to half-mast.
David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council, said the city is in “shock” and that the impact will be felt across the wider Nottingham community.
The University of Nottingham confirmed two of the three people killed in the attacks had been students there.
The university’s student union cancelled a planned Grad Ball on Tuesday evening and said it was “devastated and shocked” by the attacks.
A vigil was held at St Peter’s Church in the city centre on Tuesday, with a second vigil planned for 5.30pm on June 15 in Old Market Square.
Paul Williams, the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, said: “Different walks of life and different parts of the city have come together to express our deep and profound sense of grief around the tragic events that unfolded.”
Nottingham Trent University said it has contacted its students to reassure them and said its thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims.
Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, said: “All of us at the University of Nottingham are deeply shocked and saddened by the horrific events of yesterday morning.
“I know our entire university community join me in offering our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and friends. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this incredibly difficult time.”