Nottingham attack suspect, Valdo Amissão Mendes Calocane, is a Portuguese Christian from Guinea-Bissau in West Africa.
Calocane, 31, was born in Guinea-Bissau and settled in Nottingham as a child, according to multiple sources.
He is being held in connection with a 90-minute rampage on Tuesday that started before dawn with two 19-year-old students from the university, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, being stabbed in the street. The attacks continued with the stabbing of 65-year-old Ian Coates, whose van was stolen and driven into pedestrians.
The university said it was devastated by the news that the suspect was a former student. Police said they did not believe the link was connected to the attacks or explained the motive behind them.
Officers found the pair, who had been returning from a night out, unresponsive in the street.
Nottinghamshire Police said 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 suspect then allegedly attacked Mr Coates stealing his van and using it to run over three members of the public in the area of Milton Street. Three people suffered injuries, including a man who is in hospital in critical condition.
The fathers of Barnaby and Grace spoke at an emotional vigil held on Wednesday evening at the University of Nottingham campus.
Barnaby’s dad David spoke of the loss of his “baby boy” whose, “heart will be with you guys forever” while Sanjoy, Grace’s father, thanked the crowds for their support and spoke of his daughter’s “love” for Nottingham. Calocane remains in custody and on Wednesday magistrates granted detectives an extension to hold him until Friday.
Counter-terrorism officers are part of the investigation and electronic devices linked to the suspect – including a phone he was carrying when arrested – are being searched. Nothing yet points to an indication of an ideological motive.
He is understood to have a history of mental health issues and was previously known to police. Sources say he came to the UK legally and that from no older than seven he settled in Nottingham, where he was educated.
The university said: “We are devastated that the suspect is a former University of Nottingham student. 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. We will continue to support the police in any way we can.”
School caretaker Ian Coates, 65, was also killed in the series of deadly attacks in the early hours
Calocane, 31, was arrested on suspicion of murder two hours after the attack in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Detectives have since been given an extra 36 hours to question him.
In its latest update on Tuesday’s killings, Nottinghamshire Police also said the suspect being held previously attended the University of Nottingham – the same university as the two teenage victims.
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