The three victims of UK murder spree identified
The three people stabbed to death in a rampage across a UK city this week included a member of England’s field hockey youth team — and a pal hailed as “a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man.”
Barnaby Philip John Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19-year-old University of Nottingham students, were murdered at 4 a.m. Tuesday while returning from a party celebrating the end of their exams — with a witness hearing their “awful, blood-curdling screams.”
Police believe the same 31-year-old suspect also stabbed to death 65-year-old school staffer Ian Robert Coates — stealing his white van, which was then plowed into three others, leaving one man fighting for his life.
“Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son,” Webber’s family said of their “awful journey” through loss.
Barnaby Philip John Webber’s family said that “complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss” of the “beautiful, brilliant, bright young man.” Nottinghamshire Police
“Barnaby Philip John Webber was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to,” they said of the “talented and passionate” cricket player, who was studying history.
“At 19 he was just at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man.
“As parents, we are enormously proud of everything he achieved and all the plans he had made,” they said, while the teen’s brother has been left “bereft beyond belief.”
The family of Barnaby Webber, second left, said he “was developing into a wonderful young man.” AP
O’Malley-Kumar, meanwhile, was a talented hockey player described as “a popular member of the England U16 and U18 squads.”
“Grace was an adored daughter and sister; she was a truly wonderful and beautiful young lady,” her family said of the first-year medical student.
Grace O’Malley-Kumar’s parents called her “a truly wonderful and beautiful young lady.” Nottinghamshire Police
“As parents, words cannot explain our complete and utter devastation,” they said, noting that her brother, James, “is completely heartbroken.”
“We were so incredibly proud of Grace’s achievements and what a truly lovely person she was. She was resilient and wise beyond her years.”
The 19-year-old student’s family, pictured with her here, said that “words cannot explain our complete and utter devastation.” Nottinghamshire Police
England Hockey said it was “deeply saddened by the news.”
A witness previously told the BBC that the young students were stabbed to death by a black-clad suspect who then walked away “as calm as anything.”
Police now believe the same suspect tried to break into a nearby homeless hostel, but was “denied entry.”
The Sun shared footage Wednesday of a black-clad man trying to climb into the front window of a Nottingham shelter — just for someone inside to reach out and push him away.
As others looked on, the would-be intruder casually picked up a bookbag and strolled off.
He has yet to be identified, but is a 31-year-old migrant from West Africa with no known criminal record, according to The Times of London.
After being thwarted at the hostel, the suspect then allegedly stabbed to death Coates, a “beloved and respected” staff member at a Nottingham primary school.
Third victim Ian Robert Coates, 65, was a “beloved and respected” primary school staffer. Courtesy family
“I’m broken,” one of his sons, Lee Coates, tweeted after news of his dad’s death broke.
“You genuinely couldn’t find a nicer guy,” he said, leaving at the murder scene an England soccer shirt with the handwritten message: “Dad, love you always and forever.”
His brother, James Coates, said his dad “was everyone’s friend, always willing to help.”
“Nobody deserves this — but he definitely didn’t,” he told reporters at the scene. “None of them did.”
The suspect allegedly stole Coates’ van, which he then drove straight into three people at a bus stop, leaving one man in critical condition with head injuries, police said.
The suspect allegedly stole Coates’ van and used it to mow down three others. News Licensing / MEGA
The alleged serial killer was then filmed getting pinned to the ground as he was yanked out of the van and tasered by armed cops.
The suspect has yet to be formally IDed, and officials have not suggested a possible motive.
Britain’s interior minister, Home Secretary Suella Braverman, said police were “working flat out to establish the full facts and provide support to everyone affected.”
“They are currently keeping an open mind as to the motives behind these attacks but I can confirm Nottinghamshire Police are being assisted in their inquiries by counterterror police, though this does not mean that it is currently being treated as a terrorist attack,” Braverman told lawmakers in the House of Commons.
Although counterterrorism police are involved, “this does not mean that it is currently being treated as a terrorist attack,” Home Secretary Suella Braverman told politicians. REUTERS
Meanwhile, Nottingham University canceled a graduation ball scheduled for Tuesday evening, with many students gathering instead to light candles for the victims during a vigil at St. Peter’s Church.
“It is hard to find the words to express the shock and grief felt across our institution at the senseless loss of two first-year students who have had their bright futures brutally curtailed by a seemingly random act of violence,” said university Vice Chancellor Shearer West.
With Post wires
Source: New York Post
