Police give major victim update on Clapham attack as substance used identified
A major suspect remained on the run today after a horror attack with a corrosive substance left multiple people injured in Clapham last night.
The suspected alkaline attack on Wednesday evening saw nine people rushed to hospital, including five police officers, while another person was treated for injuries at the scene. Two children injured in the attack were girls aged three and eight, with the youngest alongside her mum now potentially suffering "life-changing" injuries. All three of them remain in hospital.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed the capital's police are treating the investigation as "a live man-hunt" in the wake of an attack he described as "ghastly". London's top police officer told BBC News: "“The suspected offender we believe was known to the victims and so we have a big team of officers – the local officers who dealt with it assisted by colleagues. We are hunting for him as we speak.”
Cops have now named the suspect as Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, 35, and stressed members of the public "must not approach" the man. It is understood he had travelled from Newcastle to London in the hours before the attack.
One brave bus driver who ran to help the victims described hearing the mum shout: "I can’t see, I can’t see". No arrests have yet been made, and police are urgently appealing for anyone with information to come forward to help with the investigation.
Faces of the children killed in horror dog attacks in UK since 2020
The corrosive substance was thrown at people on Lessar Avenue, opposite Clapham Common, with emergency services called at 7.15pm. Members of the public were seen rushed in to help the children in moments afterwards, the youngest was allegedly "thrown to the ground" by the man. Another neighbour told MyLondon the suspect was dressed in all black, and ran off towards Balham, south London.
The corrosive substance, believed to be alkaline, was thrown at people on Lessar Avenue, opposite Clapham Common (UKNIP)
Five police officers required hospital treatment after the attack (Marcin Nowak/LNP)Bus driver Shannon Christi, 35, raced from her block of flats to help after hearing screaming. She saved the three-year-old girl as she was “thrown to the floor”, before requiring hospital treatment herself after she came into contact with the corrosive liquid.
Shannon said that her partner chased the assailant down the street while still wearing slippers. The mum-of-three said: “He dragged her out of the car. I heard a lot of shouting and a bang and I heard screaming. I saw the girl being thrown to the floor, she had been pulled her out and threw her again on the floor. At that point I ran in and grabbed her.
“I heard mum shouting, ‘I can’t see, I can’t see’. I called my partner to get some water. Staff at the hospital came round to help and were dousing her in water. I got it on my lips and at that point my skin started to tingle. Me and the little girl went in to wash my arms, eyes and face.”
Police said a young girl has suffered what are likely 'life-changing' injuries (UKNIP)She added: “I think what happened was that it got in her jacket when she was in the floor and it got on to me. I went to the hospital because my lips just kept burning - they don’t know what the substance was.
Another local resident said to MyLondon that they "heard a horrible scream" at the time of the incident, adding: "It was terrible, we called 999 immediately. I was in the back of my house at the time but it was so loud. It’s scary that this happened on our road. Especially with Sarah Everard taken just streets away three years ago.”
Police confirmed that a 31-year-old woman and a three-year-old girl could now be living with 'life-changing' injuries (PA)The male suspect was last seen running from the scene after initially attempting to make off in a car. He is said to have collided with a stationary vehicle, before running in the direction of Clapham Common, which is a few minutes away. Eyewitnesses said he headed towards Balham, which is in the same direction as Clapham Common. There have been no sightings of the same man since.
In a new update on Thursday, officers stated that they believed it to be a targeted attack - and confirmed that a 31-year-old woman and the younger of the children could now be living with 'life-changing' injuries. The substance used by the attacker is believed to be alkaline, police said, and a man had thrown a child to the ground before the liquid was released. Three women who were injured after coming to help have now been discharged from hospital with minor burns injuries, while one man is said to have declined hospital treatment for his injuries.
Police have also confirmed that the mum was known to the attacker. Met Police Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said: "Firstly, I want to acknowledge the considerable public concern following this terrible incident, and update on the injuries suffered by the victims. The woman, who is aged 31, and her two daughters - aged eight and three - all remain in hospital. While none of their conditions are life-threatening, the injuries to the woman and younger girl could be life-changing. It may be some time before hospital staff are able to say how serious that might be.
Bus driver Shannon Christi, 35, rushed from her block of flats after hearing screaming"I am sure the public will join me in saying they are in our thoughts and we wish them the fullest possible recovery. Three women - two in their 30s and one in her 50s – who were injured when they bravely came to the aid of the family, have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns injuries. A man in his 50s who also helped declined hospital treatment for minor injuries he suffered."
Met Police sacks 17 new recruits over 'inappropriate morals and ethics'
It was also confirmed that all police officers who attended the scene have now been discharged. Superintendent Cameron said: "Five officers who were injured as they responded have all been treated and have left hospital. All these members of the public, and my officers, deserve enormous recognition and praise for coming to the aid of this woman and children in what must have been a terrifying scenario. We will provide them with all the support we can." An "extensive" crime scene is expected to remain in place around the area "for some time", he said. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne meanwhile said "specially trained crews and equipment to deal with hazardous materials incidents" had responded to the scene.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has condemned the attack, and wrote on social media today: "Last night’s incident in Clapham is truly shocking. My thoughts are with all those who have been injured, especially the woman and two children who remain in hospital.
"I’ve been in close contact with the Met Police since last night and want to pay tribute to the police officers who came to the family’s aid as well as the brave members of the public who came forward to help. The Met are doing all they can to urgently find the man seen fleeing the scene and have increased patrols in the local community. I urge anyone with any information to call the police on 101."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
