The suspect in the Nottingham attacks has been named as a university graduate from a churchgoing family.
Several outlets reported his identity as Valdo Calocane, originally from West Africa but grew up in Pembrokeshire in Wales.
The 31-year-old has been detained over the attacks in Nottingham that left three dead and shocked the nation on Tuesday.
Students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, were stabbed in Ilkeston Road at around 4 am on Tuesday.
Caretaker Ian Coates, 65 – described by his sons as “everyone’s friend” – was found dead after the suspect allegedly stole his van. At the same time, a man was also left in a serious condition after the truck was driven at him on Milton Street.
Calocane reportedly came to Britain in 2007 with his parents, originally from Guinea-Bissau in West Africa.
Exploring the Background of Suspect Valdo Calocane
His father is said to have moved to Britain with his wife and three children. He gained settled status as EU nationals before the family moved to Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, where Calocane’s mother worked as a registered nurse. In contrast, his father found a job as a carer in the local community.
According to reports, Calocane was known for being bright and intellectual, and the family were described as churchgoers, regularly worshipping at the Calvary Church in the area.
The suspect in the Nottingham attacks that saw two students and a school caretaker dead was a “polite churchgoer from a good family”, according to a neighbour.
Portuguese speaker Valdo Amissão Mendes Calocane completed his degree at the University of Nottingham in August last year, having won a place as a mature student in 2019.
Calocane grew up in Haverfordwest, West Wales, where neighbours said he was a polite churchgoer from a good family.
He attended the Calvary Church with his carer, dad, nurse, mum and two younger siblings.
Neighbour Marlene Raymond, 55, said: “I can picture the eldest boy now in his school uniform; he was brilliant and handsome.
“He was very bright; all three children are – they are a friendly family and have been lovely neighbours for years.
What Authorities Have Discovered So Far
“I haven’t seen the oldest boy for some time – since he went away to college or uni.
“They are very clever; all are polite and intelligent children.”
A neighbour of a house raided on Tuesday said he recognised Calocane from CCTV images.
Kamran Kahn, 41, said the suspected murderer spent time with an ex-partner at the house that armed officers smashed into.
He told the Mirror. “All the time, he would just sit out the back with his top off, smoking and drinking.
“He was seeing a girl who used to live there, and he’d spend a few days there, here and there. He was there quite a bit.
“I recognised him immediately when footage of him came out trying to get into the residential home.”
The family of school caretaker Ian Coates, who was stabbed to death in the attack as he drove to work, also attended the vigil.
Emma, from Taunton, Somerset, described her son’s killer as a “monstrous individual” – but bravely said, “he will not define us”.
She added: “I know he will receive the retribution he deserves.
“However, this evil person is just that. He is just a person.
“Please hold no hate related to any colour, sex or religion.”
Nottingham fell silent for one minute at 6 pm, with thousands gathering in the city’s main square.
Emma Webber was accompanied by her husband David, who placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder, and their son Charlie.
She said: “We stand here, and we feel your love. We are united in grief and shock, and disbelief.
“We will smile again one day, but it will take time.
“Barney is more than a victim of a senseless murder. He loved pesto pasta but hated cottage pie.
“He was obsessed with aeroplanes and dreamed of piloting in the RAF one day.”
Addressing Barnaby directly, she said: “My beautiful, beautiful boy. You have mine, your dad and your brother’s heart forever.”
Emma embraced Grace’s mum Sinead before she gave an equally heart-wrenching speech.
Sinead, accompanied by her husband Sanjoy, described her daughter as her “treasure”.
“My beautiful baby girl wasn’t just beautiful on the outside; you must have seen her pictures; she was so beautiful on the inside,” she said.
“She wanted very few things in life: to be a doctor, play hockey with her pals, and have fun.
“All they were doing was walking home, just walking home after a night out.
