The police in Nottingham arrested a 31-year-old man on Tuesday after three people were killed in the city center and three more people were injured in a separate incident when a white van apparently ran them over on purpose.
According to the authorities, the two incidents are believed to be related.
Parts of the city center have been closed and will remain closed, according to police, while the incident is further investigated. Chief Const. Kate Meynell, Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police, described the incident as “horrific and tragic”.
The police were called at around 04:00 after two people were found dead in Ilkeston Road. A third body was found shortly afterwards, approximately 3 km further in Magdala Road. According to a police statement, the three people who were hit by the white van in Milton Street were taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
Some residents say they heard screams and saw a young man and woman being stabbed before the attacker, according to one of the eyewitnesses a man dressed in black with a backpack, calmly walked away.
According to Lynn Haggitt, an eyewitness, she was on her way to work when she saw a van apparently deliberately hit two people near the city’s Theater Royal around 05:30.
“He looked in his mirror, saw a police car behind him and then drove faster. There were two people… he drove straight into them.”
A local resident, Glen Gretton, says he was woken up around 05:00 by several police vehicles speeding past his house.
“They just kept coming, one after the other, so I knew something very big … was happening somewhere downtown.”
The city’s tram network has also been suspended while the investigation continues.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked emergency workers who responded to the incident for their dedication.
“My thoughts are with the injured and the family and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the shocking incident.”
Interior Minister Suella Braverman says she is “shocked and saddened” by the deaths.
The city’s three members of parliament – Nadia Whittome, Lilian Greenwood and Alex Norris – say they are “shaken” by the events and expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased and injured.
“The city has been deeply affected by the death of three people this morning. Nottingham is a beautiful city, home to brilliant people from all backgrounds.
“We are shaken by today’s events, but will face it together as a community and heal together.”
The authorities have not released further details about the incidents at this stage.
???????????? UK under attack! Tram derailment, shooting and other security incidents reported in several locations in #NottinghamEngland. pic.twitter.com/8DYr19lBp9
— Terror Alarm (@Terror_Alarm) June 13, 2023
3 people dead, and a 31 year old man arrested in Nottingham.
Ex National Counter Terrorism Security Officer Chris Phillips says the major incident ‘looks like terrorism’ but police will be working on motives to find out more ???? #Nottingham pic.twitter.com/FpGMQbx60d— Paul Golding (@GoldingBF) June 13, 2023
????????????Nottingham, UK ????????????
City center closed off as reports coming in of multiple stabbings, people run over by vehicle and several dead
Said it 18 months ago, will say it again, if you live in a major city center & can get out – GET OUT NOW – it’s only going to get worse. pic.twitter.com/o6LwBqU1G1
— Concerned Citizen (@cotupacs) June 13, 2023
Shots fired at van 1 suspect detained. #Nottingham pic.twitter.com/INsBwXQ495
— Shillitz (@shillitz) June 13, 2023
