One of the victims of the alleged Nottingham attack died a hero as she "tried to save" her friend, it has been reported. University of Nottingham students Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, were allegedly stabbed to death around 4am on Tuesday morning on lkeston Road.
Residents with security footage have now said that Grace had a chance to "run away" but bravely stayed to try and save Barnaby. Caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was then found dead in Magdala Road, with his van allegedly stolen by the attacker.
It is understood Grace, a medical student who played hockey for England at U16 and U18 level, was walking home with Barnaby from the PRYZM nightclub when they were allegedly stabbed, the Mirror reports.
A resident with home security footage, who wished to remain anonymous, has said video shows the alleged attacker targeting Barnaby first. She told the Daily Mail: "The boy and the girl were walking on their own, there was nobody else in the picture. [The alleged attacker] came up from behind [and went for] the boy first.
"The girl had an opportunity to run away but she didn't, she tried to get the man off her friend. She tried to save the boy. They were just walking home from PRYZM after a night out, like young people do."
The husband reportedly added: “What we witnessed on the screen keeps playing over in our minds. It's awful.” It is believed Grave stumbled to the door of a house nearby to seek help but no one was inside the property.
The house occupant reportedly said: “It was a blessing in a way that we weren't here, but I also can't help thinking that if we had been in, we might have been able to help them. There was so much blood outside the house the police thought somebody might be dead inside so they forced entry to check.”
Valdo Calocane, a former university student, has been charged with three counts of murder. The 31-year-old has also been charged with three counts of attempted murdered after a van was allegedly driven at pedestrians. It is alleged Calocane used the van to drive at people on Milton Street - leaving one person in hospital with critical injuries and two others with minor injuries.
On Friday, the family of Barnaby - who was a history student - visited the scene where he died. They said they lay flowers at the site because "we owe it to both Barnaby and Grace to let them know we are here".
In a statement issued after Calocane was charged, 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."
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