Nottingham attack suspect is former student of same university as stabbed teens
The suspect allegedly responsible for the Nottingham attacks attended the same university as two of the three victims - and the institution is "devastated".
The 31-year-man, whose name is yet to be released to the press and public, studied at University of Nottingham, police said today.
They confirmed the link in a statement, in which they also said officers have been granted another 36 hours to question the suspect and admitted it has referred itself to the watchdog Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). A marked police car followed behind the suspect’s van for a short distance before it collided with the two pedestrians, it has emerged.
Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar, both 19, were fatally stabbed along with Ian Coates, a primary school caretaker in his 60s, on Tuesday.
Three other people were injured after being hit by a van, including 58-year-old Wayne Birkett. The factory worker, a huge Leeds United supporter, was mowed down moments after he got off a bus, and he remains critically ill in hospital.
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Police investigate the three murders which happened on Tuesday (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)Barnaby was a History student at University of Nottingham while Grace was training to become a doctor.
It is unclear what the suspect studied, the exact dates and if he completed his course.
The university, which has more than 37,000 students, said it is "devastated" the suspect was previously a student there.
Detectives in the city are continuing to question the man and build up a strong picture of what happened on Tuesday morning.
Nottinghamshire Police has stressed the suspect's time at the Russell Group university is not linked to the deaths.
"Detectives yesterday applied to the Magistrates’ Court and were granted another 36 hours to question a man held in connection with the murder of three people in the city," a police statement released today reads.
Grace Kumar (left) is pictured with her family in an image shared by police (PA)"A 31-year-old man was arrested at around 5.30am on Tuesday 13 June after three people were tragically killed and three others injured.
"A team of dedicated detectives is continuing to question the suspect and building up a strong picture of what happened that morning.
"This has included CCTV gathering, forensics, eye-witness accounts and searching a number of properties in the city."
It is understood the suspect carried out the knife attacks on Barnaby and Grace at around 4am on Tuesday. The students had been returning home after a night out.
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Barnaby's team mates attend a vigil at the University of Nottingham yesterday (PA)"Following the first attack in Ilkeston Road, the attacker then made his way by foot to a supported living complex in Mapperley Road but was denied entry. This was not reported to police at the time," the force continued.
"The attacker then continued on foot to Magdala Road where he killed a 65-year-old man and stole his van.
"He then attempted to run over a man in the Milton Street area, who remains in a serious condition in hospital.
"He then tried to run over two other pedestrians in the Sherwood Street area who are believed to have suffered minor injuries. We have referred this part of the incident to the IOPC, as a marked police car followed behind the suspect’s van for a short distance before it collided with the two pedestrians.
Emotional scenes were captured at the poignant vigil to the students (PA)"Police then detained the suspect by using a taser when the vehicle was stopped.
"The families of all victims are being supported by specially trained officers.
"We are still working alongside Counter Terrorism Policing and keeping an ‘open mind’ on the motives behind these attacks.
"The suspect is a former University of Nottingham student but at this time, it is not believed to be connected with the attack."
Floral tributes are left at the university, at which the suspect studied (Tom Maddick / SWNS)The University of Nottingham have said they are “devastated” the suspect in the city’s deadly rampage was a former student.
In a short statement, the university said: “We are devastated that the suspect is a former University of Nottingham student.
“The police have confirmed that this is not believed to be connected with the attack.
“Our focus remains on supporting the family and friends of Barney and Grace and our wider community.
“You will understand that we are unable to comment on a live investigation, however we will continue to support the police in any way we can.”
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