Who was Grace Kumar? Know About Nottingham Knife Attack’s Victim:- Grace Kumar was a 19-year-old student at the University of Nottingham, who was stabbed to death in a series of attacks that shocked the city on Tuesday, June 14, 2023. She was a talented and popular hockey player, who had represented England at the under-18 level. She was also a friend and classmate of Barnaby Webber, another 19-year-old student who was killed in the same incident.
Grace Kumar’s Family, Early Life & Background
Grace Kumar was born on April 12, 2004, in London. She grew up in a loving family, with her parents and two younger siblings. Her father’s name is Dr. Sanjoy Kumar. She attended St Mary’s School in Ascot, where she excelled academically and athletically. She was passionate about hockey and joined the England Hockey Performance Centre at Bisham Abbey when she was 14. She played for the England under-16 and under-18 teams and was described by her coaches as a “natural leader” and a “role model” for her peers.
It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the death of Grace O’Malley Kumar,a huge talent & much loved member of Southgate U18’s & W1’s. We are shocked & devastated by the news,our thoughts & sincere condolences are with Grace’s family,friends and teammates. 💔 pic.twitter.com/bliEVGSQ05
— Southgate Hockey Club (@SouthgateHC) June 14, 2023
Grace Kumar had a bright future ahead of her. She enrolled at the University of Nottingham in September 2022, to study economics. She quickly made friends with her fellow students and joined the university’s hockey club. She was also a member of the university’s cricket team, where she met Barnaby Webber, a talented and passionate cricketer who shared her love for sports.
Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber were among the hundreds of students who went out to celebrate the end of their exams on Monday night, June 13. They visited several bars and clubs in the city centre and were on their way back to their accommodation on Ilkeston Road when tragedy struck.
A senseless attack that shocked the nation
At around 4 am on Tuesday morning, June 14, Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber were attacked by a man armed with a knife near a bus stop on Ilkeston Road. They suffered multiple stab wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The attacker then fled the scene in a van that he had stolen from another victim, a man in his 50s who was also stabbed to death in his home on Magdala Road.
The attacker then drove the van to Milton Street, where he deliberately tried to run over pedestrians. He injured three people, one of whom remains in a critical condition in hospital. He was eventually stopped by police officers on Maple Street, who used a taser to detain him. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody for questioning.
The motive for the attacks remains unclear. Police have said they are keeping an “open mind” and are working with counter-terrorism experts to establish the facts. They have also said they believe the attacks were random and unprovoked, and that there is no evidence of any link between the victims or the suspect.
The attacks have sparked outrage and grief across the country. Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the “horrific” violence and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He also praised the “bravery” and “professionalism” of the police officers who responded to the incident. The Queen also sent a message of sympathy to the victims’ families and commended the emergency services for their efforts.
The University of Nottingham said it was “shocked and devastated” by the loss of two of its students, and offered its support and counselling to their friends and classmates. The university also held a vigil at St Peter’s Church on Tuesday evening, where hundreds of students gathered to pay tribute to Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber. Flowers, candles, cards and messages were left at the church and at the scene of the attack.
A legacy of love and inspiration
Grace Kumar’s family have released a statement expressing their “immense pain” and “unbearable loss” at her death.
They said she was a “beautiful, kind, intelligent and caring daughter, sister and friend” who had touched many lives with her “warmth, generosity and humour”. They also said she had a “zest for life” and a “dream to make a difference in the world”.
Grace Kumar’s friends have also shared their memories of her on social media, describing her as a “ray of sunshine”, a “star”, a “legend” and an “angel”. They said she was always smiling, laughing and having fun, and that she inspired them with her courage, confidence and ambition.
Grace Kumar’s hockey teammates have also paid tribute to her on Twitter, saying she was a “fantastic player” and a “wonderful person”. They said they were proud to have played with her and learned from her, and that they would miss her dearly.
Grace Kumar’s death has left a huge void in the lives of those who knew and loved her. She was a young woman who had so much to offer to the world, and who had so much potential to achieve her goals. She was a victim of a senseless and brutal attack that cut short her promising life. She will be remembered as a shining star, who left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
