Nottingham attacks: Man believed to be suspect in killings tried to break into residential home
The man believed to be the suspect in the Nottingham killings tried to break into a residential home moments before one of the victims was fatally stabbed.
Sky News has obtained a CCTV image of the suspect as he looked for a way into Seely Hirst House residential home, which houses vulnerable and homeless people in the city.
Tributes pour in for students and caretaker – live updates
Witnesses said the man arrived at the property in Mapperley Road just after 4am. He was seen trying to climb in an open window but the resident woke up and punched him, sending him stumbling back to the ground.
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Trustee: ‘No idea why he chose here’
The suspect then looked for another way in but left with a black backpack and headed towards Magdala Road, where school caretaker Ian Coates was found lying dead shortly after.
A 31-year-old man was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder after 65-year-old Mr Coates and 19-year-old university students Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber were found dead on Tuesday morning.
Police said the victims had now been formally identified and they all died of knife wounds.
Miss Kumar’s family said “words cannot explain our complete and utter devastation” following her death, while Mr Webber’s relatives called his killing a “senseless murder”.
Meanwhile, the sons of Mr Coates described him as a “massive, massive football fan” and a “great father”, adding that his death had “rocked everyone’s world”.
(L-R) Grace Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates were killed in the attacks
A bag beside a white van behind a police cordon on the corner of Maples Street and Bentinck Road
The two students were found dead in the street in Ilkeston Road just after 4am
Mr Coates was found around two miles away in Magdala Road, with the suspect believed to have stolen his van and driven at pedestrians in Milton Street.
A residential care home resident, who did not want to be identified, said: “He tried to get into my window. Thank god I woke up as I might have been dead.”
Alex Pridmore, a trustee of the residential care home, confirmed the suspect tried to gain entry to the property.
He said: “I’ve no idea why he chose here. He’s never stayed here so he has no links with the residential care home.
“As you can imagine everyone is a bit shaken by what happened. We look after vulnerable people so we’re just relieved that he didn’t gain entry.”
In an update providing a sequence of events of the attacks, Nottinghamshire Police say a call was made at 4.04am and police attended and found the two students in the street unresponsive.
The force said investigations have then revealed that a man matching the description of the suspect had attempted to gain entry to a “supported living complex” in Mapperley Road but had been denied entry. The incident was not reported to police at the time.
Police believe the suspect then attacked a man and stole his van – a call was then received by a member of the public and Mr Coates was found dead.
The force said the stolen van was then used by the suspect to run over three members of the public. Three people were injured in the van attack, with one in a critical condition in hospital and two suffering minor injuries.
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‘Open mind’ over Nottingham attack motive
Tributes poured in for the victims, with Miss Kumar described as a “talented” hockey star and Mr Webber a “passionate cricketer”.
The family of Miss Kumar, who played for England under-18s hockey team, 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.
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‘Nottingham students were incredible people’
“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.”
Read more:
What we know so far about Nottingham attacks
Timeline of how ‘major incident’ unfolded
Meanwhile, the family of Mr Webber said “complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain” – labelling his death as a “senseless murder”.
Tributes have also been paid to Mr Coates, who has been described as “a much-loved colleague” by his employer.
Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell said the force was not looking for anyone else in connection with the incidents and no further arrests had been made.
She added that the motive behind the attack was yet to be determined, but officers were keeping an “open mind” and working with counter-terror police.
A woman who was stabbed to death in north London has been named by police – as a man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Pamela Munro, 45, was found with a stab wound and died at the scene in Ayley Croft, Enfield, on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.
A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday and is in custody, the force added.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “Investigating officers have worked relentlessly across the weekend to investigate the circumstances around Pamela’s death.
“We continue to support her family who are understandably devastated.”
Police at the scene at Ayley Croft in Enfield
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The Met Police has asked anyone with information or who was driving through Ayley Court between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday and may have dashcam footage to contact the force.
A “British man” has died after being beaten and set on fire by a mob in Ecuador, according to reports by media in the South American country.
According to reports, the man – who has not been officially identified – had been detained by police after being accused of being involved in a fatal shooting.
Ecuadorian news outlet Ecuavisa reported that the man had been taken to a police station Playas del Cuyabeno, a remote village in the Amazon rainforest.
While there, a group broke into the station and took the man away. He was then set on fire in the street, it is reported, and died from his burns.
The incident reportedly happened in the Playas del Cuyabeno area of Sucumbios province
Another local report, from EXTRA.ec, said that specialist police units had been slow to arrive due to the geographical conditions of the area – which is accessible by river.
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According to reports, police officers at the station apparently decided they could not intervene when the mob arrived out of concerns for their own safety.
It is understood the UK Foreign Office is following up reports about the incident and working with local authorities to confirm the details.
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