Nottingham University’s Catholic chaplain says this evening’s city centre vigil will help ‘bring everyone together’

A city centre vigil is due to take place tonight (Thurs) to honour the victims of a series of attacks in Nottingham, as police continue to question the suspect.

Families of the two students who died on Tuesday were joined by thousands at a University of Nottingham campus vigil on Wednesday.

Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, were fatally stabbed as well as 65-year-old Ian Coates. A 31-year-old man remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after the attacks, which saw three other people injured – one critically – when they were hit by a van.

A second vigil will be held in Old Market Square from 17:30 BST today, where a minute’s silence will be observed at 18:00 from the steps of the Council House, Nottingham City Council said.

Leader David Mellen said the vigil would provide a chance “to show the world Nottingham takes a stand against violence”.

“Our city remains in shock after the tragic death of three people,” he said.

“We know the impact of these awful events will be felt not only by the victims’ families and friends but by the wider Nottingham community and so it is important that we take time to join together to share our grief and to remember the people we have lost.

“The vigil will be a chance for people to come together to mourn and to show the world how Nottingham takes a stand against violence.”

Fr David Palmer, Catholic Chaplain to Nottingham University told ITV’s Good Morning Britain programme that despite the terrible tragedy, the City of Nottingham will pull together to offer help and support to all those affected.

“The hope is that by bringing everyone together in the marketplace, which is the heart of Nottingham, both civically and as religious leaders and students – we will actually reconnect with each other and I suppose not allow tragedy to define who we are,” said Fr Palmer.

Story by Catholic Network reporter

Pic courtesy ITV