Nottingham students in shock as chapel opens for vigil following city attacks
Nottingham students attended a vigil to commemorate the victims of the Nottingham attacks
St. James Church opened its doors to students, families and those who needed a safe space to come to terms with the shocking attacks across the city centre. Many of the students chose to bring flowers to leave at the altar of St. James Church in the city centre on Tuesday, June 13.
Two of the dead have been named as students of Nottingham University. Barnaby Webber, aged 19 was found dead on Ilkeston Road, an area populated by students as it is near to the University campus, at 4 am. He was with the other victim who has been locally named as, Grace Kumar also aged 19. Tributes have been paid to the students along with flowers and candles lit at the church.
Bishop Paul Williams welcomed the mourners: “We didn’t anticipate we would find ourselves here, in this place in the city centre today because of the tragic loss of life. We’ve come together because we need to be together. 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 this morning,” he said.
Many of the students left floral tributes and came to the front of the church, visibly upset to light candles. Councillor David Mellen joined the students taking a seat in the church along with MP Nadia Whittome.
The University of Nottingham in a statement that it is ‘deeply shocked and saddened.’
The university said: It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden and unexpected death of two of our students following a major incident in Nottingham city centre overnight."
Vice-Chancellor, Shearer West, said: “All of us at Nottingham are deeply shocked and saddened by the deaths of two of our students following a major incident in Nottingham city centre.
“I know our entire University community will join me in offering our deepest condolences to their family and close friends, as well as the other victims of the incident. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this incredibly difficult time.
“The university is supporting the students’ family and friends, as well as staff and students. Our security team is working closely with Nottinghamshire Police and the authorities to support the ongoing investigation into the incident.”