Nottingham attacks: two students among three people killed

Nottingham attacks: two students among three people killed

Two students, both aged 19, were stabbed to death yards from their home as they returned from a post-exam party in Nottingham early on Tuesday in one of a series of attacks.

A man in his fifties was also stabbed to death and three people were injured when a stolen van was driven into them. The rampage began at about 4am close to the city centre.

Police arrested a 31-year-old man from West Africa, who is living in the country legally, and were not looking for any other suspects.

Barnaby Webber, a talented cricketer from Taunton, was one of the students. Detectives believe that Webber, who suffered multiple wounds, and his companion, named locally as Grace O’Malley-Kumar, were attacked first, as they walked back to their accommodation. Both attended Nottingham University and lived less than a five-minute walk from the scene.

Witnesses heard a “blood-curdling scream” and said the assailant walked away “as calm as anything” before the third victim was killed about two miles away. Police said the victim’s van was stolen and used to mow down three pedestrians in the city centre at about 5.30am. One man is in a critical condition in hospital; the two other people suffered minor injuries.

Kate Meynell, the chief constable of Nottinghamshire, said the police were keeping an open mind about the motive. Counterterrorism officers were brought in to help conduct raids in the city, but the attacks have not been declared terrorism-related and the suspect’s mental health is being examined.

The suspect, who was not on the security services’ radar, was stopped by the police minutes after the vehicle ramming. He was Tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder. Footage of the arrest showed him next to a white van, which has been linked to the attacks.

Suella Braverman, the home secretary, said she was shocked and saddened and said police needed time to determine the motive. She said: “It’s right that Nottinghamshire police are working with Counterterrorism Policing. But it’s also fair to say that everybody and all professionals on the front line are keeping an open mind as to what the precise motive might have been.”

The Times understands that the suspect did not have a criminal record. He had been in the UK for many years, since at least his teens, and was a resident but not a citizen. He had settled status, which means he had permission to stay for several years.

Nottingham University flew its flag at half mast and offered its students emotional support. Shearer West, the vice-chancellor, said the university was “deeply shocked and saddened” and offered condolences.

Webber, who was known as Barney to his friends, was a member of the university cricket team. O’Malley-Kumar had attended a private school in northeast London and played hockey for England at under-16 and under-18 level. She had won a sponsorship deal with the hockey stick manufacturer Gryphon.

Phil Robson, Webber’s grandfather, spoke outside the family home as relatives gathered to comfort each other. He said: “It’s a tragedy. We are still unsure what has gone on at the moment. Barnaby’s parents are with officers from Nottinghamshire police and we’ve been told not to make any comment until we know more. Perhaps in a day or two we can say more.”

Amelia Manning, a friend of Webber, paid tribute to him on Instagram alongside a black and white image. She wrote: “RIP Barney. You are always loved and got a special place in my heart xx”.

One student, who did not wish to be named, told The Times: “My friend was his flatmate. They were pretty close. They were more like family. She told me about Barney this morning. She went home after hearing the news. It’s hit her hard.”

A witness said the pair had cried for help as they tussled with a man wearing dark clothing and a hood. Fellow students said they had been walking home from a nightclub near by, which closed at 3.30am, after an end-of-term party.

The identity of the third victim, and the nature of his injuries, had not been released last night. Miklos Toldi, 37, who was taking his wife to work when he saw the man lying on the side of the road, said he saw stab wounds.

Rishi Sunak was being kept updated, Downing Street said. The prime minister tweeted: “I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response to the shocking incident in Nottingham.” Local MPs said that Nottingham had been “devastated by the deaths”.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said he joined “with everyone praying for all those affected, for grieving families and friends”.

The chief constable reassured the public that the city centre was safe to visit: “Currently we do not believe there is anyone else involved in this incident. It is safe to go into the city centre but there are a number of streets that will remain closed.”

A first-year student at Nottingham Trent University, who did not want to be named, said: “It was so busy last night still at 3.30am. It was the final day for everyone. There was an all-day festival at Bink’s Yard and then everyone went to Prism [a nightclub].

“It always seems safe walking down here because there are so many students. This is pretty much where every student lives. We are so used to police around here. The sirens are constant so you don’t think anything of it.”

A spokesman for Nottingham University said: “We know this is likely to cause distress for staff and students in our community. Support is available through our support and wellbeing services for any of our community who may need it.”
Analysis

Counterterrorism firearms officers putting up cordons in Nottingham sparked speculation that a terrorist attack had occurred (Fiona Hamilton writes).

But that is not always the case. Such officers, who are highly trained and specialised, attend all kinds of major incidents where their skills can be put to use. The Nottingham incident had some of the hallmarks of a terror attack, including its apparently random nature, the use of a vehicle to ram victims and the multiple sites. But the stabbings and vehicle rampage unfolded in the early hours when the streets were quiet — not a typical time for a terrorist attack.

Police will be combing through the suspect’s devices, speaking to witnesses and examining his history to see if there are any ideological links.

Establishing motivation has become difficult, with a clear shift away from terrorism directed by groups such as al-Qaeda in which attackers left videos and other evidence. Senior counterterrorism officers have instead spoken about unclear ideologies and attackers who are inspired by different online movements such as conspiracy theories.

Suspects may also suffer serious mental health issues.

Source » thetimes