Man arrested after 3 found dead with stab wounds and van attempts to run over pedestrians in UK: Police

LONDON -- A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three people were fatally stabbed in the English city of Nottingham and a van attempted to run over more people early Tuesday morning, police said.

Police said they were called to Ilkeston Road in the center of the city shortly after 4 a.m. local time and discovered two people dead in the street. The two victims -- both 19 -- had been stabbed, Chief Constable Kate Meynell said.

Shortly after, police officers were called to another incident a short distance away on Milton Street to reports that a van had attempted to run over three people. One man was transported to a hospital in critical condition, while the other two are believed to have suffered minor injuries, police said.

A man in his 50s was also found dead from "knife injuries" a few blocks away on Magdala Road, according to Maynell. Police believe the suspect stole this victim's van and then "drove at members of the public" on Milton Street, Meynell said.

Police used a stun gun and detained the suspect on suspicion of murder following the pedestrian attacks, Meynell said.

Meynell said they are keeping an "open mind" as to a possible motive. Police are not looking for any other suspects in connection to the attacks, she said.

"We are at the early stages of the investigation and need to determine the motives behind these attacks and will keep the public updated as soon as we are able to say more," Meynell said in a statement. "We are keeping an open mind as we investigate the circumstances surrounding these incidents and are working alongside Counter Terrorism Policing to establish the facts -- as we would normally do in these types of circumstances."

The University of Nottingham said two of its students died in the incident.

"We are shocked and devastated by the news and our thoughts are with those affected, their families and friends," the university tweeted Tuesday.

Alex Norris, Labour MP for Nottingham North, said in a statement posted to social media that "our community's thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. Our gratitude is with our blue light responders for their work today also."

Police have shut down six roads in the area while police investigate the ongoing issue and the Nottingham Express Transit tram network has also suspended all of its services.