Family of Nottingham attack victim Barnaby Webber, 19, slam ‘senseless murder’ of cricket ace killed with pal

THE heartbroken family of one of the victims of the Nottingham attack has slammed his "senseless murder".

Barnaby Webber tragically died alongside university pal Grace Kumar in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The pair, both 19, were said to be walking home from a nightclub when they were knifed to death.

Ian Coates has now been named as the third victim - who police believe was knifed when the alleged murdered stole his van.

The alleged lone-wolf attacker is understood to be a foreign national with mental health issues.

Barnaby's devastated parents, and younger brother Charlie, have now paid tribute to him.

David and Emma Webber have described the heartache they feel over losing their "beautiful, brilliant, bright" son.

They 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.

"A talented and passionate cricketer, who was over the moon to have made selection to his university cricket team."

At just 19, Barnaby was growing into a "wonderful young man", they said.

The family explained how proud they were of their cricket-loving son, and thanked everyone who had supported them over the last day.

David and Emma continued: "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 are so proud to release these photographs, 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."

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, 19, is named as second student victim
• Devastated loved ones say they're "in bits"
• Timeline reveals how horror unfolded
• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pays tribute to victims

Yesterday Barnaby's cricket club Somerset side Bishops Hull paid tribute to the all-rounder.

They club said: “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.”

Police were first rushed to Ilkeston Road just after 4am yesterday after witnesses revealed they heard "blood-curdling screams".

Onlookers described the horror moment they claim they saw the knifing take place, before police swarmed the scene.

Police were then called 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.

Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son.

David and Emma WebberVictim's parents

Detectives - including terror cops - believe the suspect had stolen the van from nearby Magdala Road, where he killed the vehicle's owner.

The man in his 50s had been stabbed to death, police believe.

The suspect was ultimately arrested about 5.30am, after being Tasered by cops who dragged him from the vehicle.

Police confirmed before 10am the 31-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of murder, and was being held in custody.

They then revealed they were not looking for anyone else in connection to tragedy - while keeping an "open mind" around the alleged killer's motive.