Police have today been questioning a 31-year-old man who was arrested yesterday after three people were stabbed and three more injured in a van attack in Nottingham.
The man, who has not yet been named, is believed to be a West African migrant with a history of violence and “mental health issues”. It is believed the man has settled status in the UK, but is not a British citizen.
Early on Tuesday morning, at about 04:00 BST, two University of Nottingham students were stabbed to death. A 50-year-old man was then fatally stabbed at about 05:00, and police believe this victim’s van was stolen and used to run over three other people at 05:30. One victim of the van attack remains in a critical condition in hospital.
The man was then arrested shortly after the attack, with reports suggesting this happened at around 05:40. Early reports suggested armed police were involved in his arrest, and the police have now confirmed that the suspect was tased during the arrest.
Police were initially very quiet about the incident, describing it as an ongoing ‘major incident’ until the arrest was announced much later that morning. Nottinghamshire Police initially announced the arrest on Twitter, but have since deleted the post after receiving heavy criticism for the stock image used.
Later on Tuesday, at about 13:00, police raided a property on Ilkeston Road, which had been closed, after footage emerged appearing to show two women being taken out of a property by police.
Much of what we learnt yesterday came from witnesses, with one quote, describing a “black guy dressed all in black with a hood and rucksack” being published and then edited by the BBC to remove this description.
The two students, named as Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar, both 19, were returning home from a nightclub when they were attacked. Police have said they are yet to establish an “exact motive” for the attack, and are remaining quiet as their investigation continues.
Police have not formally identified the victims, but the two students were named locally. In a statement, Mr. Webber’s family said: “Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son.
“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.”
A vigil, including a minute’s silence, will be held on Old Market Square in Nottingham on Thursday evening.
