One of the victims, named locally as Barnaby Webber, was described as “our dear friend and teammate”, by the Somerset cricket club he was a member of
By Gavin Bevis & Greig Watson
BBC News
Two 19-year-old students and a man in his 50s were stabbed to death in attacks in Nottingham that also left three people injured, police have said.
Police believe the older victim’s van was stolen and driven at three other people, with one left critically ill.
Investigators have not identified the victims, but one student has been named locally as Barnaby Webber.
A suspect is in custody. Police – working with counter-terror officers – have an “open mind” about a motive.
The 31-year-old suspect was Tasered by police before being arrested on suspicion of murder.
The attacks began at about 04:00 BST, when the two University of Nottingham students were killed in Ilkeston Road.
Police, who described the incidents as “horrific and tragic” attacks, said detectives were not looking for anyone else in connection with the inquiry.
A vigil has been held in the city for people to pay their respect to the victims.
Image source, Zac Goodwin/PA Wire
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was being updated on developments in Nottingham
Police said they were first called after a member of the public reported that two people aged 19 had been stabbed and were unresponsive in Ilkeston Road.
There was then another call to Milton Street, where the driver of a stolen van had attempted to run over three people, chief constable Kate Meynell said. One man is in hospital in a critical condition while two others are believed to have suffered minor injuries.
The van was then stopped on Maples Street, where a man was Tasered and detained on suspicion of murder.
A man in his 50s was also found dead from knife injuries in Magdala Road by a member of the public.
“At the moment, we believe that the suspect has stolen this man’s vehicle and driven it to Milton Street, where he has then driven at members of the public,” police said.
Police said they were still in the early stages of the investigation and were yet to determine exactly what the motives were behind this attack.
‘Memory will live on’
Somerset’s Bishops Hull Cricket Club released a tribute to Mr Webber, who they described as “our dear friend and teammate”.
“‘Webbs’ joined the club back in 2021 and has since then been a key part of our club and made such an impact in such a short space of time,” they said.
“His memory will live on.”
Multiple cordons are still in place around the city centre, with Ilkeston Road, Magdala Road, Milton Street and Maples Street remaining shut.
Armed officers also raided a property in Ilkeston Road shortly before 13:00.
Two women were seen being taken away from a commercial property on the road in a police van.
Watch: Armed police raid property in Nottingham
One eyewitness told the BBC he saw a young man and young woman being stabbed in Ilkeston Road, close to the junction with Bright Street, at about 04:00.
The man, who asked to remain anonymous, said he heard “awful, blood-curdling screams” and saw a man dressed in black, with a hood and rucksack, “grappling with some people”.
“It was a girl, and a man or boy she was with – they looked quite young,” he said.
“She was screaming ‘Help!’. I just wish I’d shouted something out of the window to unnerve the assailant.
“I saw him stab the lad first and then the woman. It was repeated stabbing – four or five times. The lad collapsed in the middle of the road.
“The girl stumbled towards a house and didn’t move. The next minute she had disappeared down the side of a house, and that’s where they found her.”
Eyewitness Lynn Haggitt said she wished she had not seen the crash
A male student, who knew one of the victims, said: “It hurts, it hurts a lot.
“It’s the first time I’m dealing with something like this and at university it’s a challenge for sure.
“The road that I live on leads directly on to the scene of the incident – when it happens on your doorstep you feel scared and frightened.
“It makes you realise what’s important in life, to check on people and see how they’re doing.”
Some victims injured in the van attack were waiting at a bus stop, the leader of Nottingham City Council told the BBC.
David Mellen said he believed the police were taking the time to contact victims’ families before releasing any details, so he could not say any more at the moment.
Speaking on BBC Radio Nottingham about those injured, he said their “only crime was to be waiting at a bus stop early in the morning”.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said earlier he was being kept updated on developments.
“My thoughts are with those injured, and the family and loved ones of those who have lost their lives,” he said.
Image source, PA Media
A damaged white van could be seen near the scene of the arrest
Speaking to broadcasters, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said “my thoughts first and foremost are with all of those who’ve been involved, their friends, their families and their communities”.
She urged anyone with any information relating to the incident to report it to the police, who she says should be allowed “time and space” to investigate.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer sent his “thoughts to all those affected and to the emergency services who are responding”.
Witnesses in Bentinck Road described the suspect struggling as officers dragged him out of a white van.
Student Demi Ojolow, who lives in the road, said: “I just saw the police shouting at him to get out of the car and get on the floor.
“And they dragged him out of the car and he just fell on the floor. They dragged him away and that was about it.”
Image source, Jacob King/PA Media
People have been laying flowers at St Peter’s Church, which hosted a vigil for the victims
In a statement, the University of Nottingham 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.
“We are shocked and devastated by the news and our thoughts are with those affected, their families and friends.”
It added help was available through support and wellbeing services.
Its graduation ball, due to take place on Tuesday evening, has been cancelled.
Image source, Jacob King/PA Media
The attacks have led to an outpouring of emotion
In a statement, the university’s student union said it was “devastated and shocked” by the attacks.
“We stand in solidarity with all our students and the wider city, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those harmed, alongside those directly and indirectly affected by the unfolding of these terrible events,” it said.
Neighbouring Nottingham Trent University has contacted its students to reassure them.
It said its sites “remain open and fully staffed” for anyone who needed support, and urged any residents affected “to speak to our team about any concerns, and to be with friends in a safe space”.
Ahead of a vigil, Paul Williams – the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham – said “this is a city in shock”.
“But what people in Nottingham do is pull together, friendship is the heart of Nottingham,” he said.
“And that friendship is expressed across faith communities, across people of all ages.
“Our universities are not tucked away on some remote campus, they belong to the city and the students are part of it.”
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