Police have revealed the suspect they are questioning over Tuesday’s triple killing in Nottingham is a former University of Nottingham student.
A 31-year-old man was arrested around 5.30am on Tuesday after three people were killed and three others injured in a knife and van rampage.
Two of those who died in the attack - Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Barnaby Webber, both 19 - were students at the University of Nottingham returning from a night out when they were stabbed to death in the city centre.
Police revealed on Thursday the suspect they have in custody is an alumnus of the same university, but said this is not believed to be connected with the attack.
Detectives also said they have been granted another 36 hours to question the suspect, after applying on Wednesday to the Magistrates’ Court for extra time.
Nottinghamshire Police also revealed it has referred itself to police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as officers pursued the suspect’s van moments before it struck the final two victims.
The university said it was “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,” a spokesperson added.
“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.”
The suspect is being held on suspicion of murdering medical student Miss O’Malley-Kumar and history student Mr Webber, along with primary school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, who has been described by his sons as “everyone’s friend”.
After fatally stabbing the two students, the attacker walked to a supported living complex in Mapperley Road but was denied entry, police said on Thursday.
The attempted break-in was not reported to police at the time. CCTV from a hostel 100 yards from where Mr Coates was found has since emerged, appearing to show a man dressed in black attempting to gain access to a bay window.
Police believe the suspect then continued on foot to Magdala Road where he stabbed to death Mr Coates, 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,” said police in an update at 1pm on Thursday.
“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,” said the force.
“Police then detained the suspect by using a taser when the vehicle was stopped.”
Nottinghamshire Police says it is still working alongside counter-terrorism police and are keeping an “open mind” as to the motive behind the attacks.
The city is preparing for another vigil on Thursday after the heartbroken families of the two student victims were joined by thousands of people in their grief at the university’s main campus on Wednesday.
Relatives of Miss O’Malley-Kumar and Mr Webber could be seen embracing at the vigil.
Mr Webber’s father, David, told those gathered that “his heart will be with you guys forever”, while Miss O’Malley-Kumar’s father, Sanjoy, told the students to look after each other.
Teammates of the two young sports stars embraced and broke down in tears as they gathered at the vigil, to lay flowers and remember them.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman laid flowers alongside other tributes on Thursday during a visit to the city.
Ms Braverman is due to attend a meeting with police chiefs for an update on the investigation and visit emergency services personnel to thank them for their response to the attacks.
Tributes to all three victims have flooded in since their death.
Mr Coates’ sons left tributes at the scene of his death on Wednesday, telling reporters he was “a die-hard Forest fan” and a keen fisherman who took young people from deprived backgrounds fishing to try to divert them from crime.
Lee Coates said the death of his father, who was four months from retirement, had “rocked everyone’s world”, adding: “If we had to think about it, he’d be lying in a bed with us holding his hand, him dying naturally in 20 to 30 years’ time.”
“Not dying on a street because some guy decided it’s not his day today,” Lee’s brother James added. “He was everyone’s friend, always willing to help.
“Nobody deserves this but he definitely didn’t. None of them did, it’s a tragedy.”
In a statement, Taunton-based Bishops Hull Cricket Club remembered Mr Webber, who was one of its members, as a “dear friend” who was a “key part” of the club.
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan also paid tribute to him, describing him as a “young cricketer gone far too soon”.
A former pupil of Taunton School also posted a tribute in the Old Tauntonians alumni group on Facebook, describing him as a “wonderful young man with much to look forward to”.
Meanwhile Miss Kumar was a popular member of England hockey teams, the sport’s governing body has said.
England Hockey tweeted: “We are all deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death of Grace Kumar in Nottingham on Tuesday.
“Grace was a popular member of the England U16 and U18 squads and our thoughts are with Grace’s family, friends, teammates and the whole hockey community at this time.”
