Thousands of people have turned out at a vigil on the University of Nottingham’s main campus following the deaths of medical student Grace O’Malley Kumar and history student Barnaby Webber.
Crowds gathered at the top of the Djangoly steps near the university’s Portland building on Wednesday afternoon ahead of proceedings. It followed the shocking attacks in Nottingham which led to the deaths of three people earlier this week.
Many of those in attendance could be seen wiping away tears and consoling each other in a respectful silence. Grant Walton, from the university chaplaincy, began the vigil by saying: “This is one of those moments which we hoped we’d never encounter.
“Students and staff of the university, community members and, most importantly, family and friends of precious Grace and Barnaby, some travelling many miles to be with us.”
The university’s vice-chancellor Professor Shearer West said the lives of the two 19-year-olds had been “curtailed” by a “seemingly random” act of violence.
Elsewhere in the city, Speaking at the scene where Ian Coates was found fatally stabbed, his sons Lee and James Coates told reporters the school caretaker would have been on his way to work at the time of the attack.
“We know as much as everybody else,” Lee said. “He was a die-hard Forest fan and an avid fisherman.
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“He used to take under-privileged kids fishing just to get away from crime.
“You genuinely couldn’t find a nicer guy.”
Ian Coates’ grandson left a bouquet of flowers at the scene on Magdala Road, with a note reading: “Missed every minute and every hour. We miss you dearly.”
The school caretaker’s son Lee Coates left a vintage England shirt with a message in marker pen reading: “Dad, love you always and forever.”
Another of Mr Coates’ sons, James Coates, left a Nottingham Forest shirt on the pavement with a message written on it, which said: “Dad, taken too soon, rest in peace, you will be missed. Love you, J x”
Paying tribute to his father Ian Coates, Lee Coates told reporters: “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.
Lee continued: “He was due to retire in four months, he was still grafting.
“It’s rocked everyone’s world.”
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.”
