The man believed to be the suspect in the Nottingham killings tried to break into a residential home moments before one of the victims was fatally stabbed.
Sky News has obtained a CCTV image of the suspect as he looked for a way into Seely Hirst House residential home, which houses vulnerable and homeless people in the city.
Tributes pour in for students and caretaker – live updates
Witnesses said the man arrived at the property in Mapperley Road just after 4am. He was seen trying to climb in an open window but the resident woke up and punched him, sending him stumbling back to the ground.
The suspect then looked for another way in but left with a black backpack and headed towards Magdala Road, where school caretaker Ian Coates was found lying dead shortly after.
Nottinghamshire Police said a 31-year-old man was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder after two university students were found dead in the street in Ilkeston Road just after 4am on Tuesday morning.
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Mr Coates was found around two miles away in Magdala Road, with the suspect believed to have stolen his van and driven at pedestrians in Milton Street.
A residential care home resident, who did not want to be identified, said: “He tried to get into my window. Thank god I woke up as I might have been dead.”
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Alex Pridmore, a trustee of the residential care home, confirmed the suspect tried to gain entry to the property.
He said: “I’ve no idea why he chose here. He’s never stayed here so he has no links with the residential care home.
“As you can imagine everyone is a bit shaken by what happened. We look after vulnerable people so we’re just relieved that he didn’t gain entry.”
