Teens stabbed to death leaving nightclub in horror rampage

Grace Kumar screamed for help as a man on a horror rampage attacked her friend in the street before turning on her.

Barnaby Webber and his friend Grace Kumar, both 19, were killed five minutes from home by a man on a horror rampage.

Tributes have poured in for two Nottingham University students who were yesterday stabbed to death by a man on a horror rampage.

Barnaby Webber and his friend Grace Kumar, both 19, were killed five minutes from home after an end-of-term party, The Sun reports.

They were sports-mad first-year undergraduates at the University of Nottingham and returning from the city’s Pryzm club.

Ms Kumar, a star hockey player, screamed for help as Mr Webber was slashed by a black-clad knifeman about 275 metres 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.

Barnaby Webber has been named as one of the three victims of the horror attack in Nottingham.

Grace Kumar, 19, has been named as the friend who died alongside Barnaby.

Police launched a major incident as the horror unfolded – arresting a 31-year-old on suspicion of murder.

Mr Webber’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, Mr Webber’s granddad Phil said: “It’s tragic. Barney’s parents are in bits as you can imagine.

“Everyone knows the family locally.”

A family friend sobbed as she confirmed Mr Webber had been killed in the horrific attack.

Two family liaison officers from Nottinghamshire Police arrived at the house at 5.30pm to speak with IT consultant dad David and Emma.

Phil added: “We’re trying to protect the family. We are still unsure what has gone on at the moment.

“Barney’s parents are with officers as we speak.”

Mr Webber, who has a younger brother Charles, was a talented hockey player and celebrated winning the under-14 county championship with schoolmates in 2018.

The 19-year-old was said to be walking home from a nightclub when he was knifed to death.

The attacker then fatally stabbed Grace, before also killing a 54-year-old.

Caroline Tucker, of the Old Tauntonians group for former pupils, wrote: “Today Taunton School lost one of its newest alumni. Barnaby was a wonderful young man with so much to look forward to.

“Our boys will miss you Barney, we live in an unkind world.”

He played cricket as an all-rounder for Somerset side Bishops Hull and was man of the match in his last game on June 4.

He also played for Nottingham University.

Bishops Hull said on social media: “Today we learnt of the death of our dear friend and teammate, Barnaby Webber.

“Barney was attacked in the early hours of this morning walking home with a friend after a night out.”

The tribute added: “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.”

Flowers and candles lie at the altar after being placed by friends of the deceased during a vigil at St Peter’s Church in Nottingham, England. Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Ms Kumar 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 home.

Ms Kumar’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 emergency crews arrived.

It is understood Mr Webber and Ms Kumar met through their shared love of hockey.

On Monday, local time, hundreds of students went to Pryzm for its ‘Quids In! Imma Student Get Me Out Of Here’ night until 4am.

A female student from the same halls said: “Barnaby was a friend. He was just walking home from a club like we all do.

“They just got unlucky. They were five minutes from home and stabbed by some random guy.”

A student at Trent University in the city said: “He must’ve been walking back from Pryzm. It’s about 25 minutes.

“I don’t know about the girl. It was still busy at 3.30am. It was the final day for everyone.

“There was an all-day festival at Binks Yard then everyone went to Pryzm.

“It always seems safe walking here because there are so many students.

“This is pretty much where every student lives.

“The police sirens are constant so you don’t think anything of it.”

Another student at the University of Nottingham said: “We live close to where, unfortunately, the two students were found, so it has properly shook up a lot of people. It’s scary, so horrible.”

Devastated students gathered for a vigil in Nottingham, England. Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Last night a candlelit vigil was held at St Peter’s Church in the city centre and the university cancelled its graduation ball.

A spokesperson said: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden and unexpected death of two of our students following a major incident in the city centre.

“We are shocked and devastated by the news and our thoughts are with those affected, their families and friends.

“We know this is likely to cause distress for staff and students in our community.

“Support is available through our support and wellbeing services for any of our community who may need it.”

The Student Union added: “We are devastated and shocked by the tragic events that took place last night in the city centre.

“We stand in solidarity with all our students and the wider city, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those harmed, alongside those directly and indirectly affected by the unfolding of these terrible events.

“In light of this, we have made the decision to cancel Grad Ball this evening.

“Attendees will be contacted in due course, but in the meantime, we are continuing to work with the University and relevant authorities to understand the situation.”

Tennis star Andy Murray was playing in the city and was on a night out hours before the killings.

He said: “You never expect something like that to happen, it was really shocking and heartbreaking for the victims.”

Nottingham-based cricket star Stuart Broad added: “I’m truly devastated.”

Forensic police search an area in the city centre after several people were attacked. Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Tragedy first struck on Ilkeston Road just after 4am, with witnesses revealing how they heard “bloodcurdling screams” as the students were attacked.

Another man is also still fighting for his life after a van attempted to mow him and two others down on Milton Road.

Onlookers claimed the van hurled towards the pedestrians before police swarmed the vehicle.

Some claimed they heard gunshots while the cops worked to arrest the suspect on Maple Street.

In the hours that followed police confirmed they had a man, 31, in custody and were holding him on suspicion of murder.

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 this afternoon called the horror “a shocking and tragic series of events”.

The University of Nottingham earlier confirmed with “great sadness” that Mr Webber and his friend attended their campus.

Another friend of the Mr Webber said how the pair had been “unlucky” as they were almost home to the student halls.

He told The Mirror: “He was a friend of mine. He was just walking home from a club like we all do. They just got unlucky.

“They were just five minutes from home and both got stabbed by some random guy.”

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.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Teens stabbed to death leaving nightclub in horror rampage