Nottingham attacks: Families of Nottingham attack victims address thousands
ITV News' Ben Chapman reports on the vigil held in Nottingham's Old Market Square this evening, to remember the three people killed in a series of attacks in the city
Thousands gathered in Nottingham city centre to pay their respects to two students and a school caretaker killed in a knife and van rampage.
Students Barnaby Webber, 19, and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, 19, along with school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, were found stabbed to death in Nottingham city centre in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
A vigil in the city’s Market Square heard emotional tributes from friends and colleagues of the trio.
Crowds engaged in a minute’s silence in memory of the three victims, as heart-shaped balloons with the words “choose love” were held by one woman near the stage.
Barnaby Webber’s mother, Emma, asked those gathered at the vigil held partly in memory of her son to “hold no hate”.
She said the “monstrous individual” responsible for the deaths in the city on Tuesday “will not define us”.
“I know he will receive the retribution that he deserves,” she said. “However this evil person is just that. He is just a person.
“Please hold no hate that relates to any colour, sex or religion.”
Mr Coates’ son James promised support to the families of Ms O’Malley-Kumar and Mr Webber.
Addressing the families, he said: “Obviously they are going through the same thing that we are, anything they need from us we’re happy to support you.”
He thanked everybody for the “kind words” that have poured in about his father.
“It feels like he’s touched a lot of hearts over the years, more than what we assumed and knew that he had, so it’s been really nice and heartwarming to see the messages and people come out and talk about how he was when they were younger and how he’s helped them,” he added. “Some beautiful comments.”
Ms O’Malley-Kumar’s father Sanjoy addressed the crowd as a “broken-hearted father” and asked people to imagine a world without violence.
He said: “We were four and we are now three, and the same for Barney’s family.”
Dr Kumar had to pause to wipe his eyes before continuing: “I speak to you as a broken-hearted father. I loved my Grace more than I loved anything and I’m trying to be as strong as I can, forgive me.
“There are people in hospital as well who were injured from the attack and as families our thoughts are with them as well. I really hope and wish them a speedy recovery.”
He thanked emergency services before telling the crowd how his daughter loved Nottingham and had many great friends there.
Thursday’s emotional vigil ended with a musical item from University of Nottingham students.
In the crowd, parents held their children in their arms, some held flowers and many used tissues to wipe away tears as the seven students sang to the thousands in attendance.
Tory peer Baroness Stowell of Beeston assured parents of Nottingham University students that Beeston, a town near the campus where many of them live, is a safe place.
She said: “The main campus of Nottingham University borders Beeston and, over the years, more students have chosen to live in the town.
“I feel that, alongside the heartfelt condolences of the people of Beeston to the family and friends of Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, that the people of Beeston would also want to reassure parents around the country, whose sons and daughters are studying at Nottingham and may be living in Beeston, that it is a safe town and its residents offer students, wherever they come from, a warm welcome.”
"We need to come together and we need to heal": ITV News Central spoke to a handful of the hundreds of people who came to the vigil in support of the families of the victims. They said Nottingham is united in its grief.
She read the tributes left on the steps at the Nottingham Council House, alongside dozens of flowers in memory of the three victims.
Flowers and Nottingham Forest shirts were also laid on Magdala Road to honour school caretaker Ian Coates.
The Forest fan, 65, was found dead in Magdala Road after his van was allegedly stolen by the suspect.
History student Barnaby Webber and medical student Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, were found stabbed to death in Ilkeston Road at around 4am on Tuesday.
A 31-year-old suspect was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder at 5.30am.
Police revealed on Thursday that the suspect is a former University of Nottingham student, but said “this is not believed to be connected with the attack”.
The Home Secretary leaves flowers in tribute to those killed
At a vigil at on Djanogly Terrace on Wednesday with the University of Nottingham, the fathers of both Mr Webber and Ms O'Malley-Kumar spoke.
David Webber said: "I’m lost for words, I’ve lost my baby boy and I can't even comprehend how I'm going to deal with."
He added: "I know Barney would be super touched by everyone that's here. He loved it here and couldn't wait to come back."
"It drove me mad. His heart will be will you forever. Thank you so much."
Speaking with David Webber’s hand on his shoulder, Sanjoy Kumar said: “Everyone here I really, really want to thank you for your support, for taking the time to be here.
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