Nottingham: Everything we know so far about attack that left three dead

Two 19-year-old students and man in his 50s have been killed and at least three injured after a horrifying rampage through the city of Nottingham.

Detectives are questioning a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder after a driver was seen being dragged out of a smashed-up white van by armed police and arrested on Tuesday. It is believed the older man’s van had been stolen and was driven at three people.

Police have not yet commented on whether the attack is being treated as terrorism, but it is understood that the suspect has a mental health history.

Here is everything that we know so far about the “shocking” attack:

(PA Wire)

• The University of Nottingham has confirmed two of the victims are students. One has been confirmed as Barnaby Webber, and another named in reports as talented hockey player Grace Kumar.
• Taunton-based Bishops Hull Cricket Club paid tribute to Mr Webber, who was one of its members, describing him as a “dear friend” and “key part” of the club. A former pupil of Taunton School also posted a tribute in the Old Tauntonians alumni group on Facebook, describing him as a “wonderful young man with much to look forward to”.
• Miss Kumar played hockey for England’s U18 squad. England Hockey paid tribute to her as “a popular member” of the team, adding: “Our thoughts are with Grace’s family, friends, teammates and the whole hockey community at this time.”
• In a statement, the University of Nottingham said: “We are shocked and devastated by the news and our thoughts are with those affected, their families and friends. We know this is likely to cause distress for staff and students in our community.”
• Police arriving to Ilkeston Road found the two students had been stabbed to dead in the street leading to the city centre.

Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar (ES Composite)

• Officers were then called to another incident in Milton Street where a van had attempted to run over three people. One man remains in hospital in a critical condition while two others suffered minor injuries following that incident.
• Witness Lynn Haggitt told Channel 4 News she saw a van hitting two people on Milton Street near the Theatre Royal about 5.30am. She said a man was treated for a serious head injury after the driver “went straight into them”.
• A man in his 50s was also found dead from knife injuries in Magdala Road.
• Police believe the attacker stole the older victim’s van before driving it at the pedestrians in Milton Street.
• The vehicle was stopped by officers in Maple Street before the suspect was tasered and detained, Chief Constable Kate Meynell told reporters on Tuesday.
• The 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and he remains in police custody.
• Witnesses described the man as “black with dreadlocks” and wearing a hat at the time he was arrested.

We are all deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death of Grace Kumar in Nottingham on Tuesday.

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.

— England Hockey (@EnglandHockey) June 14, 2023

• Police have not labelled the killings as an act of terrorism attack but it is understood that the man has a history of poor mental health. Police are keeping an “open mind” over the motive for the attack and believe there is “no-one else outstanding”, the Nottinghamshire force said.
• Chief Constable Kate Meynell told reporters on Tuesday the force were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incidents and no further arrests had been made.
• A terraced property with a For Sale sign was also under police guard on Ilkeston Road - where the first attack was reported. Staff at a neighbouring hairdresser claimed it had been raided last year.
• Nottingham’s three Labour MPs, Nadia Whittome, Lilian Greenwood and Alex Norris, said they were “shaken” by the events.
• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked the emergency services for their response to the “shocking incident”, adding: “My thoughts are with those injured, and the family and loved ones of those who have lost their lives.”

People laid flowers and candles at a vigil at St Peter's church in Nottingham on Tuesday (PA)

• Chief Constable Kate Meynell said: “At the moment, we believe that the suspect has stolen this man’s vehicle and driven it to Milton Street, where he is then driven at members of the public. We are still in the early stages of the investigation. I need to determine exactly what the motives were behind this attack.”
• Ms Meynell added: “We are keeping an open mind and are working closely with counter-terrorism policing to establish the facts as we would normally do in this type of circumstance.”
• A vigil held at Nottingham’s St Peter’s Church, in the city centre, on Tuesday was attended by hundreds of people.