Nottingham attack – latest: Man charged with murder after brutal knife attack
Heartbroken families paid moving tributes to victims Grace Kumar, Barnaby Webber, and Ian Coates
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Police have charged a man with three counts of murder following the attacks in Nottingham which left three dead.
Students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both aged 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were all fatally stabbed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Valdo Calocane, aged 31, of no fixed address, is also charged with three counts of attempted murder.
He will appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
Chief Constable Kate Meynell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “These charges are a significant development and arise as a result of our thorough investigation into these horrific incidents that occurred in our city.
“Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of all those affected by these attacks, and we will continue to provide support and reassurance.”
The University of Nottingham said in a statement on Thursday: “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.
Headteacher pays tribute to caretaker
Choral music played as crowds wait for the start of the vigil at the Old Market Square in the city centre, reports Holly Evans.
Ross Middleton, headteacher of Huntingdon Academy, paid tribute to primary school caretaker Ian Coates, 65.
He said: “We worked with Ian for seven years, and like in any place of work, had been through births, deaths, weddings, and the pandemic, where Ian played a crucial role in keeping our children and colleagues safe.”
He continued: “I’ll never forget how excited he was putting plans together and putting his Christmas displays together which never failed to wow and impress those that saw them.
“He was full of fun with a mischievious glint in his eye, particularly when joining in with the Year 6 water fight.”
His speech was met with roars of applause from Forest fans in the crowd.
We are united in grief, says MP
Alex Norris, MP for Nottingham North, told the vigil: “We are united in our grief, our sadness and our shock. We like everyone here are not used to waking up to see such devastating news.”
“It’s terrible to think this has brought us together united in grief but I hope that gives us hope for the future,” he continued.
“Love always wins, that might not sometimes feel like the case but love always does win,” he said. “Nottingham together.”
The gathering also heard from mayor of Nottingham Wendy Smith, city council chief executive Melbourne Barrett and councillor David Mellen.
Crowds hold minute of silence
The Reverend Grant Walton from the University of Nottingham described the three deaths as a “traumatic, violent and needless loss”.
Nottingham North MP Alex Norris said “we must all be there” for the families of the victims as he spoke on behalf of Nottingham’s other MPs, Nadia Whittome and Lilian Greenwood.
A minute of silence was followed by applause among the crowds that stretched back around half a kilometre from the Council House.
University ‘trying to process that suspect is ex-student’
The vice-chancellor of the University of Nottingham said the university was still “trying to process the information” that the suspect was a former student.
Speaking at a vigil in Nottingham’s Old Market Square, Professor Shearer West said: “All three of these lives were cut short in the most unimaginable way on Tuesday morning.
“Their well-earned retirement plans and bright futures brutally curtailed by a seemingly random act of violence.
“At the university, we held our own vigil yesterday with Barney and Grace’s families to remember them and mourn their loss.
“I was overwhelmed by the love and support that was offered to the families by more than 2,000 students and staff who gathered together as a community.
“Although seemingly unconnected to these dreadful acts, we are still in the university trying to process the information that the suspect in custody was a former student.”
Applause for father’s family
The family of school caretaker Ian Coates were applauded as they took to the stage at the vigil.
James Coates said: “My dad was an avid fisherman, he loved his family, he loved his Forest.”
Sons in ‘RIP Dad' shirts
Ian Coates’s three sons all wore Nottingham Forest shirts with “RIP Dad” printed on the back.
The crowd chanted “you reds” as the three stood in front of the thousands gathered in the Market Square.
Heartbroken mother appeals for no religious hatred against ‘monstrous’ suspect
Reporter Holly Evans writes: In an incredibly moving and emotional speech, Barnaby Webber’s mum told the crowd: “The monstrous individual who has shattered so many lives will not define us and I know he will receive the retribution he deserves.
“But this person is just that - a person. Please don’t hold no hate which relates to any colour, sex or religion.”
She concluded her speech by asking for a round of cheers and applause to honor her son and all those that had been affected.
She told the crowds her son had loved pesto pasta and had dreamed of becoming a pilot, and while he had enjoyed history, his true passion had been his cricket team.
Attack incomprehensible, say faith leaders
Several faith leaders gave moving speeches.
Shujahat Aslam, chair of the Nottingham Council of Mosques, referenced Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber’s parents, saying: “It hurts so much as a parent whose kids go to university as well that we weren’t able to look after their kids as our kids are looked after.”
He said the way to honour all three victims’ memories and legacies was to be “the best version of ourselves”.
Gurcharan Manku, of the Sikh community in Nottingham, said it was “truly incomprehensible” that the city has lost “three wonderful people in such a devastating and horrible way”.
“It is sad, so sad, that one person can make such a devastating impact on so many lives,” he added.
Watch: live coverage of vigil
Live: Vigil held in Nottingham to mourn victims of knife attack
Watch live as mourners gather in Nottingham to mourn victims of knife attack.Watch more from Independent TV at https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/editors-picks...
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