Summary

  • Thousands of people have gathered for a vigil at Nottingham University to mourn those killed in Tuesday's attacks

  • The families of the two students killed, Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, linked hands as flowers were laid

  • "I've lost my baby boy," Webber's father told the crowd, saying his son would be "super touched by everyone here"

  • O'Malley-Kumar's father praised the bond among students at the university and urged those present to "look after each other"

  • The third victim was Ian Coates, 65, whose sons said he was "everyone's friend" and "always willing to help"

  • He had been due to retire from his job as a school caretaker in four months' time, they said

  • Police in Nottingham are questioning a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder

Live Reporting

Edited by Dulcie Lee and Heather Sharp

  1. School pays tribute to former pupil

    The former school of Grace O'Malley-Kumar has paid tribute after her death in the Nottingham attacks on Tuesday.

    Bancroft's, an independent school in Woodford Green, said the 19-year-old had left them last year.

    They said they are "desperately shocked and saddened by Grace’s sudden death in these truly terrible circumstances", and described her as "an immensely gifted and dedicated scholar and sportswoman".

    Grace O'Malley KumarFacebook

    She was hugely loved and greatly respected and admired by all. She was outstanding in every respect and will be missed terribly.

    Bancroft's School

  2. A steady flow of people pay their respects

    Jo Black
    Reporting from Nottingham

    St Peter’s Church sits nestled between the High Street shops in the centre of Nottingham, not far from where some of the attacks took place.

    Last night there was a vigil here, and today it opened at around 9am, with a steady flow of people turning up to lay more flowers and pay their respects.

    Some are sitting in quiet contemplation, others are visibly upset.

    Among the tributes are a tie and cap from Nottingham University Cricket Club - Barnaby Webber's family said he had been over the moon to be selected for the team.

    One man here today said he also has a 19-year-old studying at the same university, he said what happened to Barnaby and Grace Kumar could have happened to anyone.

    At the council offices a book of condolence has been opened and a vigil is expected to be held later at the University of Nottingham.

    Candles at St Peter's Church

    Candles are lit at St Peter's

    A University of Nottingham Cricket Club cap is left for Barnaby Webber

    A University of Nottingham Cricket Club cap is left for Barnaby Webber

    A sign is left for Barnaby, from his school friends

    A message is also left for Barnaby, from his Taunton School friends

  3. Ian Coates' brother 'absolutely numb'

    Ian Coates' brother has posted on Twitter:

    "I can't sleep, trying to understand what's happened, Ian had led a good life but Grace and Barnaby were just starting out, just absolutely numb at the moment."

    In a separate post, his son asked for the family to be given privacy.

  4. School 'shocked and saddened' by colleague's death

    The CEO of the school's Academy Trust, Diana Owen, said in a statement: "I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about this tragic news.

    "Ian was a beloved and respected member of the Huntingdon Academy staff. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this extremely sad time.

    "The Trust and Academy also sends condolences to the families of Nottingham University students Barnaby and Grace," she said.

    She added the Trust would provide ongoing support for pupils and staff.

  5. Third victim was school caretaker
    Breaking

    The third victim of the attacks in Nottingham has been named as Ian Coates. He was a site manager at Huntingdon Academy in the city.

    In a statement, the school's headteacher Ross Middleton said: “Ian was a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile for the benefit of our children and will be greatly missed.

    "As a school community, it will take time to process this deeply upsetting news. We wish to extend our sympathy and condolences to all those affected by yesterday’s tragic events.”

    Ian CoatesHuntingdon Academy

  6. Flowers left at the scene of student murders

    Some pictures are coming in of flowers being left beside railings on Ilkeston Road, where it's now known students Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar were killed just after 4am yesterday morning.

    The cordon that had been put in place at the scene was lifted earlier, the PA news agency reports.

    This is just one of the scenes where an attack took place. In another incident, at around 05:30, the driver of a stolen van attempted to run over three people in Milton Street in the city centre - they survived.

    A third man, who has not yet been named, was also found dead from knife injuries in Magdala Road.

    Flowers left on Ilkeston RoadPA Media
    Flowers left on Ilkeston RoadPA Media

  7. Moving on is going to take some time

    Rajini Vaidyanathan
    Reporting from Nottingham

    St Peter's Church, NottinghamGetty Images

    It's impossible really to convey how the mood is here. It feels like people are, to overuse a phrase, extremely shocked. They don't expect this kind of thing to happen in their city.

    Nottingham city centre has started to open up, compared with yesterday where parts of it were covered in police tape and there were cordons everywhere.

    But moving on from what happened is going to take some time.

    Faith leaders are expected at St Peter's Church this morning. That's where I am just now, and where last night about 400 people attended a service.

    The hope is they'll be able to provide some comfort to people who lost their family members and friends.

    But of course this is a process and while that process of healing takes place, the police investigation continues in earnest.

  8. 'Everyone is completely heartbroken'

    Flowers left outside a building on Ilkeston Road, NottinghamPA Media

    Flowers have been left outside a building on Ilkeston Road

    Lucinda Dodd, editor of the Nottingham University Impact Magazine, says the whole university community is upset by the deaths.

    Speaking to Radio 5 Live, she says support has been put in place for students and there will be a vigil held on campus.

    "I think everyone is just completely heartbroken," she says. "it's just so sad and I think everyone should pay respect to the victims."

    She adds yesterday was meant to be a happy occasion, as the university was due to hold its annual graduation ball.

  9. School remembers much-loved pupil

    Barnaby WebberPhoto supplied

    Tributes are still coming in - including from the school that Barnaby Webber attended from nursery right the way through until the end of Sixth Form.

    The Taunton School says the 19-year-old was a "much-loved, kind and engaging character".

    "That a young man of such promise should lose his life in these circumstances is utterly devastating," it says.

    Describing its community as heartbroken, the school says Barnaby's death will be "very difficult to come to terms with" for all the staff, pupils and parents whose lives he touched.

    The statement adds:

    We send our love and deepest condolences to his family. We continue to do all we can to support them and all in our community affected by these events. When the time comes, we will find a fitting way in which to remember Barnaby and his special contribution to our school.

    In the meantime, we ask for respect for the privacy of Barnaby’s family and send our condolences to the families and friends of all the victims in this awful attack."

  10. Bishop says deaths have left their mark on city

    Police remain in position on Ilkeston RoadPA Media

    Police remain in position on Ilkeston Road

    The Catholic Bishop of Nottingham said the attacks on Tuesday that left three people dead have left "a city in mourning".

    Rev Patrick McKinney said Saint Barnabas Cathedral on Derby Road remains open for anyone who needs support.

    He spoke of his hopes that the city will be able to recover from the tragedy.

    It's a city where overwhelmingly people are friendly, supportive and helpful to each other, and I feel very confident that people will begin to respond to ensure that it remains a safe, friendly and very welcoming city.

    Patrick McKinney, Catholic Bishop of Nottingham

  11. Hockey club 'shocked and devastated' by Grace's death

    Grace O’Malley KumarSouthgate Hockey Club

    Southgate Hockey Club has paid tribute to Grace Kumar, saying she was one of its much-loved members.

    In a post on Twitter the London club says: "It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the death of Grace O’Malley-Kumar.

    "A huge talent & much loved member of Southgate U18’s & W1’s.

    "We are shocked & devastated by the news, our thoughts & sincere condolences are with Grace’s family, friends and teammates."

  12. Police looking at motive, after armed raids and forensic searches

    Police forensic officers search the area in Ilkeston Road in NottinghamEPA

    Police forensic officers search the area in Ilkeston Road in Nottingham

    In one of their updates yesterday, Nottinghamshire Police said the investigation was in its early stages and officers needed to work out the motive behind the attacks.

    They said they were keeping an open mind and working alongside counter-terrorism police, as would normally be the case for an incident like this.

    Aside from the 31-year-old, who remains in custody, no other arrests have been made and the police have said they are not looking for anyone else.

    Police searched a number of addresses across the city throughout the day - including a raid on a property in Ilkeston Road, the street where two people were earlier found dead, by armed officers.

    In Magdala Road, where the man in his 50s was found dead, police have set up a forensics tent. Forensic officers were also looking at a dented white Vauxhall Vivaro van in Bentinck Road, near the scene of the arrest.

    Forensics officers investigate a white Vaxuhall Vivaro van, left near the scene of the attacker's arrestPA Media

    A van, left near the scene of the attacker's arrest, is probed by forensics officers

  13. Students lay flowers and light candles at vigil

    About 400 people attended a service in St Peter's Church in the city last night.

    Many of those there were students - they left flowers at the altar and lit candles.

    Bishop Paul Williams says people in Nottingham are still taking in the enormity of what has happened

    Two young women laying flowersPA Media

    Students were among those to attend a vigil in Nottingham city centre

    Young man lighting a candlePA Media

    The vigil was held at St Peter's Church in the city centre

  14. Cricket club remembers 'talented and dedicated' Grace Kumar

    We've mentioned that Barnaby Webber was a keen cricketer, and have carried tributes to him from his cricket club.

    It appears Grace Kumar was also a cricket player. A club in London, close to the border with Essex, has tweeted some photographs of her as a child, remembering her as a "fiercely competitive, talented and dedicated cricketer and hockey player".

    Woodford Wells Cricket Club, in Woodford, said the 19-year-old was once the captain of its "Baby Belles" team - calling her "fun, friendly, and brilliant" - and that it was "devastated" by the news.

    We haven't heard from Grace's family yet - if they decide to a release a statement, we'll share it here.

    One of the photos published by Woodford Wells Cricket ClubWoodford Wells Cricket Club

    One of the photos published by Woodford Wells Cricket Club

  15. More details about suspect revealed
    Breaking

    Daniel Sandford
    Home Affairs correspondent

    In the last few minutes, official sources have confirmed to me that the suspect being held in Nottingham is originally from West Africa.

    He also:

    • Did not have a criminal record
    • Was not known to security services
    • Had been in the UK for many years
    • Was not a British citizen
    • Was a resident in the UK
    • Had settled status, i.e. he had permission to stay for several years

  16. University supporting those close to killed students

    The University of Nottingham says it is supporting the family and friends of the two students who were killed.

    “All of us at Nottingham are deeply shocked and saddened by the deaths," says vice-chancellor, Shearer West.

    “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."

    A flag outside the university has been lowered to half mast.

    Flag at half mast outside the University of NottinghamPA Media

  17. Family release pictures of Barnaby Webber

    The family of Barnaby Webber has released some images of him to the media.

    In a statement, they described their "complete devastation" after his "senseless murder" in Nottingham yesterday.

    They said they were proud to release the photos - "chosen by us as a family, of an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend".

    Barnaby WebberPA Media

    Barnaby, 19, was one of two students at the University of Nottingham stabbed to death on Tuesday

    The Webber family released this photo of the four of them - father David, Barnaby, mother Emma and younger brother CharliePA Media

    The Webber family (L-R): Father David, Barnaby, mother Emma and younger brother Charlie

  18. Webber family remember 'beautiful young man'

    In the rest of their statement, Barnaby's parents David and Emma and his younger brother Charlie say the university student was a "beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to".

    Using his full name - Barnaby Philip John Webber - the family says he was a "talented and passionate cricketer, who was over the moon to have made selection" to the University of Nottingham's cricket team.

    The statement goes on:

    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. His brother is bereft beyond belief, and at this time we ask for privacy as a family to be allowed. time to process and grieve.

    We will not be making any further statements, particularly in relation to the police investigation.

    We are so proud to release these photographs, chosen by us as a family, of an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend. Thank you for your understanding, and to everyone who has supported us in this awful journey so far."

  19. Family of victim Barnaby Webber pay tribute
    Breaking

    Barnaby Webber's family have paid tribute to him after he was killed in Nottingham yesterday.

    "Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son," they say.

    We'll bring you the rest of the statement shortly.

  20. England Hockey remembers victim Grace Kumar

    One of the students killed in yesterday's attacks has been remembered by England Hockey as a "popular member" of its U16 and U18 squads.

    "We are all deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death of Grace Kumar in Nottingham on Tuesday," the team wrote on Twitter, adding that its thoughts were with "Grace’s family, friends, teammates and the whole hockey community".

    Both Grace and Barnaby Webber, the other student killed yesterday, were sports players.

    Yesterday, Barnaby's cricket club in Taunton, Somerset, paid tribute to "our dear friend and team mate" in a statement.