Wednesday, 14 June 2023

Dreadlocked Nottingham Knifeman Revealed to be West African National

Grace Kumar, 19, was one of two University of Nottingham students who was stabbed to death while walking home after a night out at 4am this morning

Grace Kumar, 19, was one of two University of Nottingham students who was stabbed to death while walking home after a night out at 4am this morning


Nottingham rampage suspect 'is West African national (Guinea-Bissau, which is mainly Sunni Muslim) who has lived in UK since his teens': Sources say dreadlocked 31-year-old was known to police.

The suspect arrested by police in the Nottingham attacks is a 31-year-old West African national who has been living in the UK since his teenage years, it was revealed.

The man, who is being questioned over three deaths and the injuring of three others, is understood to have no previous criminal history but was known to police.

Due to the chaotic and random nature of the rampage, counter-terrorism officers travelled to Nottingham to help with the investigation.

The man, described as having dreadlocks by eyewitnesses, had been granted settled status in the UK after moving here as a teenager.


Chief Constable Kate Meynell told reporters the force were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incidents and no further arrests had been made.

The attack began when two 19-year-old University of Nottingham students, identified as rising England hockey star Grace Kumar and talented sportsman Barnaby Webber were fatally stabbed as they returned home from a night out. 

They were fatally knifed in Ilkeston Road, a student area of Nottingham, at about 4am.

Ms Meynell said the body of another man, believed to be 54, was found in Magdala Road at around 5.30am by another member of the public. He had also been stabbed.

In a short statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Meynell said the force believed the attacker then stole the older man's van before driving it at pedestrians in Milton Street.

The vehicle was stopped by officers in Maple Street before the suspect was tasered and detained, Ms Meynell said.

Three people were injured in the van attack, with one in a critical condition in hospital and two suffering minor injuries.

Police reacting to the incident as it unfolded were certainly taking no chances, and later on around 20 heavily armed officers stormed addresses in Ilkeston Road.

In one raid they battered down the door and questioned two students about a black man who lived there.

Bella Crawshaw, 20, a first-year computer sciences student, said she was asked by officers if she 'hung out' with a black man from the address.

She said: 'We know our social groups and we know who comes in our house. Also the people we are with, they are very like 'don't do drugs, don't hang out with the wrong people and stuff'.'

Two 19-year-old students and a man, said to be 54, were stabbed to death before the attacker stole the older victim's van and attempted to run over three people in Nottingham, a police chief has said.

Nottinghamshire Police said a 31-year-old man was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder following the deadly rampage and remains in custody.

Grace Kumar, 19, was one of two University of Nottingham students who was stabbed to death while walking home after a night out at 4am this morning

Grace Kumar, 19, was one of two University of Nottingham students who was stabbed to death while walking home after a night out at 4am this morning

Barnaby Webber, a university student, was killed in the attacks early on Tuesday morning

Barnaby Webber, a university student, was killed in the attacks

Many of those who attended the vigil were students at the universities of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent

Many of those who attended the vigil were students at the universities of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent

Many of the young people at a vigil for those caught up and killed in the attacks were emotional at St Peter's church in Nottingham

Many of the young people at a vigil for those caught up and killed in the attacks were emotional at St Peter's church in Nottingham

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell speaking to the media outside Central Police Station in Nottingham on Monday evening

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell speaking to the media outside Central Police Station in Nottingham on Monday evening

the University of Nottingham said two of its students had been killed in the attacks - since identified as England hockey star Grace Kumar and talented sportsman Barnaby Webber, both aged 19.

The police chief said the motive behind the attack was yet to be determined, but officers were keeping an 'open mind' and working with counter-terror police.

Ms Meynell said the families of all the victims had been informed and were being supported by specially-trained officers.

Mr Webber is believed to have been a member of Bishops Hull Cricket Club in Taunton.

A vigil at Nottingham's St Peter's Church, in the city centre, was attended by hundreds of people paying their respects to those who died and those injured.

During the service, attended by mainly students from both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, those present were invited to place flowers below the altar or light a candle.

Throughout the day, witnesses gave harrowing accounts of the attacks, with one telling the BBC he heard 'awful, blood-curdling screams' and saw a 'black guy dressed all in black with a hood and rucksack grappling with some people'.

Ms Meynell confirmed officers had carried out searches at a number of properties around the city - with cordons seen being put up on various sections of Ilkeston Road.

A terraced property on the road was under police guard, with staff at a neighbouring hairdresser saying it had been raided last year.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said 'we're in a very early stage of the investigation' when asked whether the attack could have been terror-related.

She told broadcasters in Westminster: 'We need to allow the police the time and the space to carry out all of their operational activity to determine the motive.

'It's right that Nottinghamshire Police are working with Counter Terrorism 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.'

Grace was a rising star in the hockey world, who has played for England's U16s and U18s

Grace was a rising star in the hockey world, who has played for England's U16s and U18s

Grace, a high-flying hockey player, is understood to be from north-east London

 Grace, a high-flying hockey player, is understood to be from north-east London

Barnaby was walking home with a young woman, who was also stabbed to death at the scene

Barnaby was walking home with the young woman, who was also stabbed to death at the scene

The talented sportsman was killed on his way home from a night out in the city

The talented sportsman was killed on his way home from a night out in the city

Counter terror police have raided two properties in Nottingham with cops saying they are keeping an 'open mind' over the motive for the attack

Counter terror police raided two properties in Nottingham

A house on Ilkeston Road is raided by police this afternoon

A house on Ilkeston Road was raided by police

Officers are seen pinning a man down on a pavement in Nottingham today. Three people have been killed in the city, police said

Officers are seen pinning the knifeman down on a pavement in Nottingham

Armed police on patrol in Nottingham city centre this afternoon

Armed police on patrol in Nottingham city centre

Armed police in Nottingham city centre, which was locked down this morning

Armed police in Nottingham city centre, which was locked down

Medical equipment lies within a police cordon on Ilkeston Road, where two people were found dead. A resident said police were 'banging on my door' at 5am asking for any CCTV footage

Medical equipment lies within a police cordon on Ilkeston Road, where the two people were found dead. A resident said police were 'banging on my door' at 5am asking for any CCTV footage

Six roads are shut and tram services were cancelled as police locked down the entire city centre

Six roads were shut and tram services were cancelled as police locked down the entire city centre 

National inter-agency liaison officers (NILO) on the scene in Nottingham city centre today

National inter-agency liaison officers (NILO) on the scene in Nottingham city centre

Officers guarding the cordon in Nottingham city centre this morning

Officers guarding the cordon in Nottingham city centre

National inter-agency liaison officers (NILO) on the scene in Nottingham

National inter-agency liaison officers (NILO) on the scene in Nottingham 

A specialist Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officer on patrol on Ilkeston Road in Nottingham today

A specialist Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officer on patrol on Ilkeston Road in Nottingham 

The van used in this morning's Nottingham attacks was sold on eBay in May, it has been reported

The van used by the knifeman in the Nottingham attacks

The vehicle has been the subject of a police investigation since the attacks

The vehicle has been the subject of a police investigation since the attacks

Barnaby Webber, a university student, was killed in the attacks early on Tuesday morning

Barnaby Webber, the university student who was killed in the attacks

Grace Kumar, 19 was a rising star in the hockey world, who played for England's U16s and U18s

Grace Kumar, 19 was a rising star in the hockey world, who played for England's U16s and U18s 

Forensic officers work at the scene of a white van following the attacks on Tuesday

Forensic officers work at the scene of the white van following the attacks

Viewed from the other side of the cordon, the van in Bentinck Road has clear damage to its bonnet and windscreen. There are two dents on the bonnet, just above the radiator grille, and two sets of corresponding cracks radiating out from two points on the windscreen

Viewed from the other side of the cordon, the van in Bentinck Road has clear damage to its bonnet and windscreen. There are two dents on the bonnet, just above the radiator grille, and two sets of corresponding cracks radiating out from two points on the windscreen

The 31-year-old suspect is reported to have been known to MI5 after turning up at its headquarters

The 31-year-old suspect is reported to have been known to MI5

Caretaker Ian Coates, 65, to death before stealing his van and ploughing into three people at a bus stop, injuring one critically

Caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was stabbed to death, before perp stole his van and ploughed into three people at a bus stop, injuring one critically

Barnaby Webber, 19, with his younger brother Charlie. His family today told of their fury at his 'senseless murder'

Barnaby Webber, 19, with his younger brother Charlie. His family today told of their fury at his 'senseless murder' 

School caretaker Ian Coates became the third victim to be identified today

School caretaker Ian Coates became the third victim

Barnaby with his family

Barnaby with his family

Teammates of talented hockey player Grace O'Malley-Kumar turned out in their kit as they mourned the loss of one of their own

Teammates of talented hockey player Grace O'Malley-Kumar turned out in their kit as they mourned the loss of one of their own

Friend and youth England hockey star Grace O'Malley-Kumar was stabbed to death alongside her friend

youth England hockey star Grace O'Malley-Kumar was stabbed to death alongside her friend

Grace's teammates embraced one another

Students attend a vigil for Grace and Barney, watching over flowers laid in tribute to the friends

Students attend a vigil for Grace and Barney, watching over flowers laid in tribute

Grace O'Malley-Kumar's teammates attend the vigil at the University of Nottingham

Grace O'Malley-Kumar's teammates attend the vigil at the University of Nottingham

Dr Sanjoy Kumar and his wife Sinead have been pictured comforting one another at today's vigil

Dr Sanjoy Kumar (father) and his wife Sinead (mother)

Grace O'Malley-Kumar pictured with her father Dr Sanjoy Kumar, mother Sinead and brother James

Grace O'Malley-Kumar pictured with her father Dr Sanjoy Kumar, mother Sinead and brother James

Grace has been a star for England's young hockey programme having been selected on a national level for both the under-16s and under-18s squads

Grace has been a star for England's young hockey programme having been selected on a national level for both the under-16s and under-18s squads

Visibly emotional throughout the service Dr Kumar fought back the tears as he paid tribute to his daughter

Visibly emotional throughout the service Dr Kumar fought back the tears as he paid tribute to his daughter

Graces' father is hero doctor Dr Sanjoy Kumar, who was awarded an MBE after he saved the lives of three teenagers stabbed in a gang attack

Graces' father is hero doctor Dr Sanjoy Kumar, who was awarded an MBE after he saved the lives of three teenagers stabbed in a gang attack

Students attend a vigil in Nottingham for the two 19-year-olds and man in his 50s who were killed yesterday

Students attend a vigil in Nottingham for the two 19-year-olds and man in his 50s who were killed on Tuesday

Valdo Calocane has today been charged with three counts of murder and three of attempted murder

Valdo Calocane has been charged with three counts of murder and three of attempted murder


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