Families of students killed in Nottingham hold hands at heart-wrenching vigil
Huge crowds have turned out for a vigil in memory of the victims of a shocking attack in Nottingham.
University students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both aged 19, were stabbed to death in the early hours of yesterday.
School caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was found dead a short while later after he was knifed and his van was stolen.
Three other people were also injured – a 31-year-old man remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.
The families of both students killed in the incident arrived holding hands together alongside thousands of others outside the university this afternoon.
Heartbreaking images showed their parents, siblings and relatives embracing one another before several people spoke to those gathered.
University of Nottingham’s chaplain reverend Grant Walton opened the vigil with an emotional statement.
He said: ‘This is one of those moments that we hope to never encounter, but which forces its way into our lives and leaves a trail of destruction that we could never imagine.
‘Thank you for being here; students and staff of the university, community members, most especially the family and friends of our precious Grace and Barney who have travelled many hours to be with us.
‘The main point of being here is for us to talk with one another – not to be talked at.
‘To begin to process our grief, our feelings of trauma as individuals and as a community.’
Barnaby’s father, David Webber, said: ‘I can’t comprehend how I’m going to deal with it – myself and Emma and Charlie and his family and friends.
‘I know Barney would be super touched by everyone that’s here. He loved it here.
‘He couldn’t wait to come back, it drove me mad, but his heart will be with you guys forever.
‘Thank you so much. I really can’t talk much more.’
Grace’s father said: ‘Everyone here, I really want to thank you for your support, for taking the time to be here. All of you guys that I see – the sea of people – is such a lovely sign of the university and the bond you have.
‘Grace was also like Barney, she loved coming up to Nottingham. In-fact we couldn’t get her down. We asked her last week and she said, “well after she’s had a few more sessions”.
‘The love we have out here, I wish we had it everywhere. Look after each other, that’s the big thing. Look after your friends and look after people around you. This is so important.
‘Grace and her friend, they fell together. You need to be friends with everyone and you need to love everyone. I wish we had more of it.
‘But most of all, everyone here, I really thank you for being here and taking the time. It means so much to my wife and me.
‘Grace loved all of you and you should all feel very blessed. You all touched her life and hence ours. You will never be forgotten by us.
‘We had children who were taken away prematurely. That should never happen to any parent.
‘All I can say is thank you and look after each other.’
University of Nottingham’s student union community officer Daisy Forster said the deaths of first-year students Grace and Barnaby are a ‘monumental loss’.
She said: ‘The shock waves echo thorough our student community.’
Ms Forster paid her condolences to the sports teams and told their families and friends: ‘We will always be here when you need us. It is okay to cry, it is okay not to.’
Shearer West, the university vice chancellor, said: ‘What should have been a time of celebration and relaxation following the exam period has become a time to mourn tragic loss in the most unimaginable of circumstances.’
Tributes were issued by the families before the vigil today.
Barnaby, a talented young cricketer from Taunton, Somerset, was in his first year studying history.
His family said: ‘Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son.
‘Barnaby Philip John Webber was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to. He was a talented and passionate cricketer, who was over the moon to have made selection to his university cricket team.
‘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.
‘His brother is bereft beyond belief, and at this time we ask for privacy as a family to be allowed time to process and grieve.
‘We will not be making any further statements, particularly in relation to the police investigation. We are so proud to release this photograph, chosen by us as a family, of an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend.
‘Thank you for your understanding, and to everyone who has supported us in this awful journey so far.’
Grace, who was a first-year medical student and talented hockey player was described as ‘a popular member of the England U16 and U18 squads’ who played for the uni.
Her family said: ‘Grace was an adored daughter and sister; she was a truly wonderful and beautiful young lady.
‘Grace was not just a sister to James but his best friend. He is completely heartbroken.
‘As parents, words cannot explain our complete and utter devastation. She will be so dearly missed.
‘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.
‘Grace was so happy in life fulfilling her ambition of studying to become a doctor whilst playing topflight hockey at university.
‘She leaves behind devastated extended family and friends. We request that all media outlets stop invading our privacy while we face this sorrow.’
Mr Coates’s family has asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.
CCTV footage showed the suspect reportedly trying to climb into a homeless hostel moments before carrying out a vicious attack.
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