Grace Kumar, 19, named as second Nottingham victim killed alongside pal Barnaby Webber, 19, as terror cops probe horror
THE student who died alongside her pal Barnaby Webber during a horror rampage in Nottingham has been named.
Grace Kumar, 19, has been named locally as the second University of Nottingham teen who was tragically stabbed to death.
They were sports-mad first-year undergraduates at the University of Nottingham and returning from the city’s Pryzm club.
Grace, a star hockey player, screamed for help as Barney was slashed by a black-clad knifeman 300 yards from their halls.
The attacker then fatally stabbed her, before killing a 54-year-old – believed to be a tradesman – and stealing his van.
The van was then used to run over three people – leaving one man in a critical condition with two others suffering minor injuries.
Cops launched a major incident as the horror unfolded – arresting a 31-year-old on suspicion of murder.
Grace played hockey for Southgate in London and had made it into the England squad for her age group.
Her parents were too upset to speak at their £2million home.
Grace’s dad is thought to be Dr Sanjoy Kumar, who saved victims of a gang stabbing in Chingford, Essex, in 2009.
He helped move three knifed teens, aged 15, 16 and 17 to a makeshift trauma room in his surgery before 999 crews arrived.
It is understood Barney and Grace met through their shared love of hockey.
Barney’s grief-stricken parents David and Emma were last night being comforted by family as they mourned the loss of their first son.
Speaking outside the couple’s home near Taunton, Somerset, Barney’s granddad Phil said: “It’s tragic. Barney’s parents are in bits as you can imagine.
“Everyone knows the family locally.”
What we know:
- “Major incident” declared in Nottingham and six roads closed
- Police confirm two people found dead on Ilkeston Road just after 4am
- Another man also found dead on nearby Magdala Road in city centre
- Three others injured – one critically – after van tried to mow them down on Milton Street
- Witness tells of hearing gunshots before cops swarmed van on Maple Street, seeing a man arrested on suspicion of murder
- A second witness recalled the horrific moment she discovered the first victim of the attack
- Terror cops with assault rifles raid home on Ilkeston Road
- Cops reveal they’re not looking for anyone else in connection to tragedy
- It was revealed the Nottingham suspect is a foreign national with “mental health issues”
- Police say they believe the suspect stole the van before mowing people down
- Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webster were named as victims of the attack
- Timeline reveals how horror unfolded
- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pays tribute to victims
Tragedy first struck on Ilkeston Road just after 4am, with witnesses revealing how they heard “blood-curdling screams” as Barnaby and Grace were allegedly attacked.
A man, 54, was then found dead from knife injuries on Magdala Road by a horrified member of the public.
Cops understand the suspect had stolen this man’s vehicle and driven it to Milton Street.
There, the man is understood to have attempted to run over three people as he smashed into a bus stop.
As a result, one man is in hospital in a critical condition while two others are believed to have suffered minor injuries.
The van was then stopped on Maple Street where a man was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder.
Barnaby’s cricket club Bishops Hull wrote in a devastating statement: “Today we learnt of the death of our dear friend and team mate, Barnaby Webber.
“Barney was attacked at the early hours of this morning walking home with a friend after a night out and has lost his life.
“Webbs’ joined the club back in 2021 and has since then been a key part of our club and made such an impact in such a short space of time.
“Playing more than 30 games for the club, scoring 622 runs, and taking 29 wickets, his memory will live on.
“As a club we would like to invite family, friends, club members and members of the village and public who wish to pay their respects and lay some flowers at the club.”
Tragedy first struck on Ilkeston Road just after 4am, with witnesses revealing how they heard “blood-curdling screams” as the students were attacked.
Police scrambled to Milton Street where the stolen van was used to run over three people – leaving one man in a critical condition with two others suffering minor injuries.
Detectives – including terror cops – believe the suspect had stolen the van from nearby Magdala Road, where he killed the vehicle’s owner.
The suspect was ultimately arrested about 5.30am today, after being Tasered by cops who dragged him from the vehicle.
Barnaby’s grandfather Phil Robson this afternoon confirmed he had been killed amid the horror.
The heartbroken man said: “It’s tragic. We can’t say anything at the moment. Everyone knows the family locally.”
Phil, who was standing with a close family friend who broke down in tears, confirmed Barnaby was a keen sportsman.
He added: “We’re just trying to protect the family.
“The family liaison officers are coming down from Nottingham and we’re expecting them any minute.”
Dramatic scenes saw armed terror cops raid a home on Ilkeston Road not far from where the students took their final breaths.
Police then confirmed they were keeping an “open mind” over the motive behind the attack, and not looking for anybody else in connection with it.
Chief Constable Kate Meynell yesterday afternoon called the horror “a shocking and tragic series of events”.
The University of Nottingham earlier confirmed with “great sadness” that Barnaby and his pal attended their campus.
The Home Secretary this evening expressed shock at the attack.
Suella Braverman told broadcasters in Westminster: “First of all, I want to say how shocked and saddened I am that three people have lost their lives earlier today in Nottingham and that further individuals have been injured in this tragic incident.
“My thoughts first and foremost are with all of those who have been involved, their friends, their families and their communities.
“I want to thank the emergency services for their rapid response. They’re working around the clock to keep people safe and we’re incredibly grateful for their efforts.”
She added: “I’m in regular contact with the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police, but I want to take this opportunity to urge anybody who has any information about this incident to come forward and report it to the police.”
