Dads of two Nottingham student victims deliver message to friends at vigil

Nottingham attacks: Today's news as families gather at vigil

Friends, family and members of the community continued to grapple with their grief today in Nottingham after three people were killed in a tragic stabbing in the city centre on Tuesday.

Here are today's main stories:

Third victim named as school caretaker

Ian Coates was a caretaker for nearby Huntingdon Academy and was on his way to work when he was killed yesterday.

Staff at the school described him as a "much-loved" member of staff who "always went the extra mile".

He previously worked at Bulwell Academy where he was the school's former site manager.

Chris Keen, Executive Principal at The Bulwell Academy, said: "Everyone at The Bulwell Academy is shocked and devastated by the death of our former site manager, Ian Coates, following the major incident in Nottingham city centre.

“Our immediate thoughts and condolences are with Ian Coates’ family, friends and loved ones, as well as the many pupils and colleagues who he supported throughout his distinguished career.

“Many of our current staff worked together with Ian and we will be ensuring that they are properly supported throughout this very difficult time.

Family of man 'in river' say cops did 'nothing' compared to missing mum search

“Our hearts go out to all of the families and loved ones affected by the incident in Nottingham city centre yesterday and our thoughts are with them.”

Read more here.

Home Secretary says police keeping an 'open mind' about attacker's motive

Suella Braverman has said police officers are keeping an 'open mind' behind the Nottingham attacker's motive after a 31-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, she did not confirm whether the incident is being treated as a counter-terrorism case - saying only that terror police were assistng inquiries.

The Home Secretary said: “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. 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.”

Read more here.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman (UK PARLIAMENT/AFP via Getty Imag)

Hero 'saves 50 people' by punching Nottingham attacker trying to break into hostel

A homeless man may have helped save 50 people when the alleged Nottingham killer tried to break into his hostel.

The man, who calls himself Trevor, pushed the raider back, punched the window then slammed it shut.

He was staying at Seeley Hirst Hostel in a ground floor bedsit when the drama began.

He told residents after the incident: “Nobody’s coming into our gaff and nobody’s coming into my room.”

Read more here.

Thousands attend vigil

The families of two first-year students stabbed to death in Nottingham joined their tearful friends at a heartbreaking vigil this afternoon.

Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, were fatally attacked as they walked home from a nightclub on Monday morning.

The third victim of the stabbing rampage was popular school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, who was months away from retirement.

Around 2,000 students gathered at the University of Nottingham’s main campus for a vigil at 4pm.

Barnaby's father David could be seen holding a teddy bear as he approached the vigil accompanied by other members of the family.

Home Secretary's message to Parliament about Nottingham attacks in full

Suella Braverman spoke earlier about the police and government's response to the Nottingham attacks.

Addressing MPs in the Commons, she said: "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.

“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."

Nottingham Forest shirt laid at memorial site by family

A Nottingham Forest shirt with a moving message was left by the sons of killed caretaker Ian Coates at a memorial today.

Paying tribute to their father, who was an avid Forest fan, it read: "Dad - taken too soon. Rest in peace. You will be missed. Love you - J x"

(Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

Floral tributes at Nottingham landmark

Flowers could be seen laid at the steps of Nottingham Council House today in memory the three victims of Tuesday's fatal stabbings.

(Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

Vice-Chancellor: University is in 'state of shock'

The vice-chancellor of Nottingham University, Shearer West, has paid tribute to the two students who lost their lives and praised the thousands of people who attended a vigil to support their families.

Speaking to the PA news agency after the vigil near the university's Portland Building, Prof West said: "I think all of us are in a state of shock, and feeling tremendously sad at this tragic circumstance - losing two bright, intelligent young people in the university community.

"They were both multi-talented. They were both highly intelligent, able sportspeople. Their tutors say they were wonderful in class - they were ideal students.

"It's so very sad that their lives were cut off in the way they were."

Memories of teen victims from cricket club

The University of Nottingham men's cricket team has paid tribute to "incredible" Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar.

The team's 1s team are to play their final British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) game in memory of both victims of the Nottingham incident, where they and their opponents will wear black tape to pay their respects, with a two-minute silence also observed beforehand.

Ollie Chaplin, who plays on the team and said both Barnaby and Grace were his "friends", said before the game: "No words can be used to describe them, they were incredible people.

"Barney, I think we can agree for those who knew him was one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

"We went down to Exeter with me on a little trip, didn't really know anyone at the club and just threw himself into it with a smile on his face."

Touching message for caretaker dad on England shirt

Son of killed school caretaker Lee Coates left a vintage England shirt at the memorial with a message in marker pen reading: "Dad, love you always and forever."

(Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

Heartfelt plea from student community

In a moving speech, student union community officer Daisy Forster told the families "we will always be here when you need us", saying that there are 38,000 students to support them.

Grant Walton, from the university chaplaincy, described the deaths as "one of those moments which we hoped we'd never encounter" while 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.

The vigil followed a series of tributes paid to the three victims of Tuesday's attacks that also left another three people hurt, one critically, when they were run over by a van.

Barnaby Webber remembered

Family and friends of Barnaby Webber joined the loved ones of the two other victims in a University of Nottingham vigil today.

In a tribute, the talented 19-year-old's parents David and Emma and younger brother Charlie spoke of their "complete devastation".

"Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son," the family from Taunton in Somerset said.

"Barnaby Philip John Webber was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to.

(Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

'Thousands' attended vigil

It has been reported that thousands of people turned up to pay respects at the University of Nottingham on Wednesday afternoon.

Family, friends, classmates and members of the local community could be seen lining up under the bright summer sun to leave flowers around a large rectangular fountain.

(PA)

Dramatic moment 'Nottingham attacker' is Tasered by police and arrested in van

New CCTV footage has been released showing the moment the suspected Nottingham attacker was pinned down and arrested by the police.

The man was caught by officers after three people were stabbed to death in the city in the early hours of Tuesday.

Read more here.

(ITV News)

Dads of two victims together at vigil

Grace O'Malley Kumar and Barnaby Webber's fathers could be seen standing together as they delivered emotional speeches during a vigil at the University of Nottingham this afternoon.

(PA)

Dad recalls final conversations with daughter at vigil

Speaking towards the end of the vigil, Grace O'Malley-Kumar's dad recalled how he had made plans to see his daughter just days before she died.

He said: "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.

"The love that we have out here, I wish we had it everywhere.

"Look after each other. Look after your friends and the people around you. It is so important.

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

(PA)

Grace's dad says daughter 'loved coming to Nottingham'

In the final speech of the vigil, Grace O'Malley-Kumar's father thanks the "sea of people" at the vigil for their support.

"Grace was also like Barnaby, she loved coming up to Nottingham," he says.

Barney's heart will be with you forever - father tells vigil

The vigil earlier heard a few words from Barnaby Webber's father.

"I've lost my baby boy," he tells the vigil. "I know Barney would be super touched by everyone here."

His dad reminisces about how much Barnaby loved it at the University of Nottingham.

"His heart will be with you guys for ever," he says as he hands the microphone to Grace's father.

Grace's dad says 'look after each other'

Grace O'Malley-Kumar's dad has just finished speaking to a vigil held in memory of his daughter and two others who died in the attacks in Nottingham on Tuesday.

He told of how the three families gathered at Nottingham University's square had 'someone prematurely taken from them', and ended an emotional speech by urging attendees to take care of each other.

The dad thanked everyone who came to the vigil, and described it as a "lovely sign of the university and the bond you have".

He says Grace loved being at the university and was full of stories of her time there.

Taking pauses to gather himself, he told the crowd: "So look after each other is the big thing, look after your friends and look after people around you."

Emotional tributes to Grace O'Malley-Kumar this afternoon

Grace Kumar's dad Sanjoy, wearing a black suit, wiped tears from his eyes with a white handkerchief as he sat alongside Sinead at a vigil in Nottingham this afternoon.

At one point Sanjoy hugged Barnaby’s brother Charlie and held Sinead’s hand.

He then spoke to Grace’s teammates, telling them: “She loved every one of you.”

Representatives from Nottinghamshire Police also attended the moving ceremony at Djangoly Terrace.

(PA)

Families of victims embrace at vigil

Families of the two youngest victims of Tuesday's attack could be seen in an emotional moment at a vigil held in the city this afternoon.

Grace O'Malley-Kumar's father and Barnaby Webber's brother, Charlie, embraced ahead of a vigil at the University of Nottingham after they and Ian Coates were killed and another three hurt in connected attacks on Tuesday morning.

(PA)

Caretaker's family visit site of attack

The family of Ian Coates have visited the location where the school caretaker was killed on Tuesday.

Lee Coates and James Coates arrived with other family members to lay flowers and place football tops on the pavement in Magdala Road, Nottingham, where the 65-year-old was found stabbed.

(PA)

Photos emerge from vigil

The families of two first-year students stabbed to death in Nottingham joined their tearful friends at a heartbreaking vigil this afternoon.

Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, were fatally attacked as they walked home from a nightclub on Monday morning.

The third victim of the stabbing rampage was popular school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, who was months away from retirement.
Around 2,000 students gathered at the University of Nottingham’s main campus for a vigil at 4pm.

Barnaby's father David could be seen holding a teddy bear as he approached the vigil accompanied by other members of the family.

(PA)

Family of caretaker speak of sense of loss

Ian Coates, 65, who was a caretaker for Huntingdon Academy primary school, was on his way to work when he was stabbed and reportedly had his van stolen.

Speaking at the scene of the murder, his sons said he was "a die-hard Forest fan" and a keen fisherman who took young people from deprived backgrounds fishing to try to divert them from crime.

Lee Coates said his father's death had "rocked" the family, adding: "If we had to think about it, he'd be lying in a bed with us holding his hand, him dying naturally in 20 to 30 years' time."

"Not dying on a street because some guy decided it's not his day today,"

Chilling moment Nottingham suspect skulks outside home 'after stabbing 2 teens to death'

The suspect in the Nottingham knife and van rampage was caught on CCTV skulking around outside a hostel prior to one of the killings.

Footage shows a man apparently looking for a way into Seely Hirst House - which provides accommodation for vulnerable and homeless people in the city.

Witnesses said he was seen trying to climb in an open window but a resident woke up and punched him, sending him stumbling back to the ground, before he made off.

The man was spotted arriving at the property in Mapperley Road just after 4am - minutes after university students Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar, both 19, were stabbed to death.

Read more here.

Terrifying moment Nottingham attacks suspect is fought off trying to break into hostel

This is the horrifying moment the man believed to be the suspect in the Nottingham killings tried to break into a property before carrying out his final act of horror.

Footage obtained by The Mirror shows the man as he tried to climb through the window of Seely Hirst House residential home before being fought off by a resident.

The dweller, who calls himself Trevor, who was woken by the commotion, has been described as a hero by a fellow lodger and has been credited with saving lives of the 50 residents on the property.

See the footage here.

Hero 'saves 50 people' by punching Nottingham attacker trying to break into hostel

A homeless man may have helped save 50 people when the alleged Nottingham killer tried to break into his hostel.

The man, who calls himself Trevor, pushed the raider back, punched the window then slammed it shut.

He was staying at Seeley Hirst Hostel in a ground floor bedsit when the drama began.

He told residents after the incident: “Nobody’s coming into our gaff and nobody’s coming into my room.”

Read more here.

Grace O'Malley-Kumar's family pays tribute to 'adored daughter and sister'

Ms O'Malley-Kumar's family have paid tribute to the medical student who they described as "resilient and wise beyond her years".

In a statement issued through police, they 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.”

(Nottinghamshire Police)

Police formally identify victims

Police have formally identified Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar as the two University of Nottingham students killed in yesterday's attacks.

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said: "University of Nottingham students Barnaby Philip John Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both aged 19, were found in Ilkeston Road just after 4am on Tuesday having been stabbed.

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

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

"Barnaby, of Taunton, Somerset, was a talented young cricketer who was studying history.

"Grace, 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."

MP's tribute to city's 'unity and resilience'

Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East, has paid tribute to people's unity off the back of yesterday's terrifying events.

Mentioning the "unity and resilience" of the people in the city, Ms Whittome thanked the emergency services for working "tirelessly" in response to the incident.
Speaking in today's PMQs, she said: "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?"

Man in hospital remains critical, police say

One of the three people hit by the van is still in a critical condition, police have also confirmed this afternoon.

The man was struck on Milton Street and was rushed to hospital where he continues to fight.

Two other people were also involved in the crash but were left with only minor injuries.

University announces vigil for students and public affected by tragic events

A vigil is to be held later at the University of Nottingham, where Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar attended.

The gathering at 4pm will take place outside the university's Portland Building led by the institution's Vice Chancellor and senior lecturers.

It follows an emotional church service held in the city centre last night, where mourners came to lay candles and reflect.

(Getty Images)

Footage shows suspect outside care complex after student murders

Footage has emerged of a man matching the suspect's description outside the housing complex in Nottingham, which police believe he unsuccessful tried to gain entry to.

A man was seen looking for a way to get into Seely Hirst House - a housing block near the city centre for the vulnerable and homeless.

Witnesses said he was seen trying to climb in an open window but a resident woke up and punched him, sending him stumbling back to the ground, before he made off.

Alex Pridmore, a trustee at the complex, told Sky News he wasn't known to be a current or previous resident.

Police have confirmed they are now aware of this but say it wasn't reported to them at the time.