THE family of one of two Nottingham University students stabbed to death by a man on a horror rampage are "in bits", their granddad has said.
Barnaby Webber and his pal Grace Kumar, both 19, were murdered just five minutes from home after an end-of-term party.
They were sports-mad first-year undergraduates at the University of Nottingham and returning from the city’s Pryzm club.
Speaking outside the couple’s home near Taunton, Somerset, Barnaby's granddad Phil said yesterday: “It’s tragic.
"Barney’s parents are in bits as you can imagine.
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"Everyone knows the family locally.”
Grace, a star hockey player, screamed for help as Barnaby was slashed by a black-clad knifeman 300 yards from their halls in the early hours of yesterday morning.
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.
Barnaby’s grief-stricken parents David and Emma were last night being comforted by family as they mourned the loss of their eldest son.
And a family friend sobbed as she confirmed Barnaby 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.”
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Barnaby, who has a younger brother Charles, was a talented hockey player and celebrated winning the under-14 county championship with schoolmates in 2018.
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
- Timeline reveals how horror unfolded
- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pays tribute to victims
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 team mate, 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.”
Grace played hockey for Southgate in London and had made it into the England squad for her age group.
In a statement, England Hockey said: England Hockey said: "We are all deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death of Grace Kumar in the major incident in Nottingham on Tuesday.
"Grace represented England in the U16 and U18 squads while also playing for Southgate HC, Old Loughtonians HC, and the University of Nottingham HC.
"Our thoughts are with Grace’s family, friends, teammates and the whole hockey community at this time."
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 Barnaby and Grace met through their shared love of hockey.
On Monday, 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.”
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 heart-breaking for the victims.” Nottingham-based cricket star Stuart Broad added: “I’m truly devastated.”
Tragedy first struck on Ilkeston Road just after 4am, with witnesses revealing how they heard "blood-curdling screams" as the students were attacked.
A man in his 50s 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.
The Home Secretary yesterday 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."
