Nottingham attack suspect named as engineering graduate

The suspect arrested on suspicion of murdering three people on the streets of Nottingham is Valdo Amissao Mendes Calocane, The Telegraph understands.

The 31-year-old is understood to have graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in mechanical engineering last year.

In a statement, the university said: “We are devastated that the suspect is a former University of Nottingham student.” Police have said that is not believed to be connected with the attacks.

A 31-year-old man was arrested at 5.30am on Tuesday on suspicion of attacking Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, as well as 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates during a knife and van rampage on Tuesday.

Nottinghamshire Police earlier confirmed the suspect was a former student at the University of Nottingham and said: “The police have confirmed that this is not believed to be connected with the attack.

“Our focus remains on supporting the family and friends of Barney and Grace and our wider community.”

The force also announced that detectives have been granted an extra 36 hours to question the suspect following an application to magistrates.

They said: “We are still working alongside Counter-Terrorism Policing and keeping an open mind on the motives behind these attacks.”

On Wednesday it emerged the 31-year-old tried to break into a hostel for the homeless between the two attacks.

He was challenged by a resident at Seely Hirst House as he attempted to climb in through an open ground floor window at around 5am.

The attempted break-in came less than an hour after Ms O’Malley-Kumar, a medical student, and Mr Webber, a history undergraduate, were attacked and killed in the centre of Nottingham.

After being ushered away from the building, the suspect allegedly flagged down Mr Coates, who had been driving to work, and stabbed him to death.

He was arrested a short time later after allegedly stealing Mr Coates’ van and using it to plough into three pedestrians. One, who was hit on Milton Street, remains in a critical condition.

The force added that it had referred that incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as a marked police car followed behind the suspect’s van for a short distance before it collided with two pedestrians on Sherwood Street.

Another vigil is taking place in Nottingham on Thursday after thousands joined a memorial at the university’s main campus to pay tribute to Ms O’Malley-Kumar and Mr Barnaby Webber on Wednesday.

Grieving relatives of both families embraced at the event as Mr Webber’s father David told crowds “his heart will be with you guys forever” while Ms O’Malley-Kumar father Sanjoy urged students to look after one another.

Speaking at the vigil on on Wednesday, Mr Kumar said: “Everyone here, I really, really want to thank you for your support, for taking the time to be here.

“All of you guys, everywhere that I see, a sea of people, 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.

“The love that we have out here, I just wish we had it everywhere. So, look after each other is the big thing. Look after your friends and look after people around you. It is so important.”

On Thursday, Mr Webber’s parents returned to the scene of the vigil to read messages left by well-wishers.

Meanwhile, floral tributes continued to be left in Magdala Road, where Mr Coates was attacked while making his way to work at the nearby Huntingdon Academy.

One tribute, from a Year Four pupil, read: “Dear Mr Coates, thank you for rescuing me when I got trapped in the toilet. Thank you for helping our school. All your hard work paid off. We will miss you.”