Clapham alkaline chemical attack: Latest sighting of Abdul Ezedi by the Thames as manhunt continues
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A mum has potentially "life-changing" wounds following an attack with a corrosive substance which left 12 people injured near Clapham Common in Lambeth.
Police have named as a suspect Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, 35, who is thought to have travelled to London yesterday from Newcastle. Police said he was last caught on camera in Allhallows Lane near Cannon Street on Wednesday night, and that he has injuries to his face.
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Hide AdThe manhunt is being led and co-ordinated by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, with a team of more than 100 officers dedicated to the investigation A reward of up to £20,000 has been offered for information leading to his arrest.
The BBC reports that Ezedi was convicted of "sexual assault/exposure" in 2018, before being granted asylum in 2021 or 2022.
Among the victims were a 31-year-old mum and her two daughters, aged eight and three, who remain in hospital. The younger girl's condition is no longer assessed as "life changing"
Members of the public who intervened to help the family.
Police were called to an incident in Lessar Avenue at about 7.25pm on Wednesday January 31, and a manhunt has been launched for the attacker, who police believe was known to the mother.
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Hide AdThree other women - two in their 30s and one in her 50s – were injured when they came to help the family. They have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns injuries, while a man in his 50s declined hospital treatment for minor injuries.
Five police officers were injured as they responded and were treated in hospital.
On Monday (February 5) a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Anyone with information or footage can call the incident room directly on 0207 175 2784 - or call 999 with any sightings.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Corrosive substance attack in Clapham
Key Events
- Police have warned the public not to approach suspect Abdul Shokoor Ezedi
- A three-year-old girl and her mother may have life-changing injuries
- A total of 12 people were injured in the incident which involved an alkaline substance
'Facial injuries for life'
Police said the 31-year-old mother injured in the attack remains sedated in a critical but stable condition. She has severe facial injuries that will "likely, very sadly, impact the rest of her life".
Police statement
Commander Jon Savell said on Monday afternoon: “Our message here is clear – if you are harbouring Ezedi we will find and arrest you. This man is a dangerous individual who has changed forever the lives of a family – we are doing everything we can to trace him and that includes targeting his associates.
“We believe there are other people helping him. We would ask anyone with information to contact us as a matter of urgency – a £20,000 reward remains on offer for information that leads to Ezedi’s arrest.
”We are enormously grateful for the help of the public who have been calling in with information. So far around 100 people have called our dedicated 24/7 hotline, and around another 100 have contacted forces across the country. Please keep these calls coming – we are following up every single piece of information.
”We have also received an update today from doctors treating the 31-year-old woman injured in the attack. She remains sedated in a critical but stable condition. She has severe facial injuries that will likely, very sadly, impact the rest of her life.
”If you are helping Ezedi think about that – a mother with two young children whose life is now changed forever through this horrific attack. Do the right thing and come forward.”
A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender at about 1.45am on Monday (February 5). He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Abdul Ezedi in Tesco
As part of the latest appeal, police have released footage of Abdul Ezedi at the Tesco in Caledonian Road, near King's Cross.
Appeal to suspect
In an appeal directly to Abdul Ezedi, Darius Nasimi, of the charity the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association said: “Abdul, I am speaking directly to you. I want you to go straight to a police station immediately.
“You have a serious injury that needs to be seen to but, more importantly, you must do the right thing and hand yourself in to police. This has gone on for long enough.
“You can contact the charity if you wish and we can speak to you, and work together so that you can help the police with their enquiries.
“Abdul, please contact us as soon as you can, call 999, or go to a police station.”
Chemical used
Commander Savell said the substance used in the attack "was a very strong concentrated corrosive substance, either liquid sodium hydroxide or liquid sodium carbonate".
A comparison is under way with containers found when an address was raided in Newcastle.
Last known movements
Police now say the last confirmed sighting of Abdul Ezedi was at 9.33pm on January 31, when he exited Tower Hill Underground station.
He had changed trains at Victoria, where he arrived on the Victoria line at 9.10pm and departed on the eastbound District line at 9.16pm.
£20,000 reward offered
A reward of up to £20,000 is on offer for information leading to the arrest of Abdul Ezedi.
Police say investigators believe there are people who know where he is who have not come forward, warning anyone found assisting him that they face arrest.
Commander Jon Savell said: ““I am hugely grateful to the public for the significant number of calls that we have received.
“Your help is critical. A reward of up to £20,000 is now available for information leading to his arrest.
“I must warn anyone who is helping Ezedi to evade capture - if you are harbouring or assisting him then you will be arrested.
“Our inquiry line is staffed 24/7 by specialist detectives who are progressing enquiries around-the-clock.
“If you know where he is or have information that may assist call them now.”
'Corrosive substance' containers
This footgage shows officers entering one address in Newcastle where empty containers with corrosive substance warnings were recovered. Forensic tests are ongoing to see whether the containers held the substance used in the attack.
Five properties searched
The Met Police investigation team has received dozens of calls and is working with services including British Transport Police, Northumbria Police, the National Crime Agency and Transport for London.
Searches have taken place at two addresses in east London and three in Newcastle.