The center of Nottingham was completely cordoned off on Tuesday morning, June 13, after three people were discovered killed in several places in the city, in a “tragic incident” involving a van, local police announced.
A 31-year-old suspect “has been arrested…after three people were killed”, while three injured people are in hospital after a “van attempted to run over [them]”, police said of the county of Nottinghamshire in a press release.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted that the events were “shocking”, saying he “was kept informed of developments” in the investigation. “My thoughts are with the injured, and the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” he added.
Police were first called at 4 a.m. (5 a.m. French time) to a downtown street where two people were found dead. Then she was called to another location “where a van had tried to run over three people”, who are currently hospitalized. Finally, a man was found dead on another street in the city, police said.
“Tragic and horrific”
“This is a tragic and horrific incident,” Nottinghamshire County Police Chief Kate Meynell said in the statement. “We believe these three incidents are related, and we have apprehended a suspect,” she added.
Earlier, police said a “serious incident” was underway in Nottingham. Photos and videos circulating on social media show a large police presence and security cordons blocking several downtown streets. Fire engines as well as liaison officers responsible for coordinating the work of several emergency services are also present. Chief Inspector Neil Humphries called on the public to avoid the area as these roads “are expected to remain closed for some time.”
“I am very grateful to Nottingham Police and everyone who responded to this horrific attack earlier this morning in Nottingham,” Home Secretary Robert Jenrick tweeted. “All of us in Nottinghamshire share a sense of shock. My thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured and the families and friends of those killed,” he added.
“Our city wakes up to terrible news today. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected,” also tweeted Alex Norris, Labor MP for a Nottingham constituency.
