Everything we know about Clapham chemical attack as fugitive remains at large

01 February 2024 , 16:21

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Police at the scene (Image: PA)

A hunt is underway for a man who has left a 31-year-old woman and one of her daughters with potentially life-changing injuries after throwing a corrosive substance from a car.

Members of the Metropolitan Police are now looking for Abdul Ezedi, the man linked in connection with the incident on Wednesday, January 31. The attack is believed to have happened at around 7.25pm and left a further three women and five police officers with minor injuries. Injuries and burns to the five emergency service members and three women – two in their 30s and one in their 50s – have since been treated. A total of twelve people were confirmed hurt in the attack so far.

Those injuries came from an alkaline thrown at the ground in the street, with the individual who threw the corrosive material crashing their car and later making off on foot in the direction of Clapham Common. The 31-year-old mum's other daughter, eight, was also attacked.

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Abdul Ezedi is wanted by police in connection with the alkaline attack (Met Police)

Who is the suspect?

Police confirmed Ezedi, 35, was suspected of attacking members of the public in a "horrific" incident last night in Clapham. Police are still attempting to verify and find associates of Ezedi as the hunt for the man continues, with the suspect believed to have made his way toward Clapham Common after crashing his vehicle following the crash.

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It is believed the attack was targeted, with the 31-year-old mum and child left on the floor following the drive-by. Police released a statement confirming they are looking for Ezedi as the prime suspect in the attack. Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said: "He has significant injuries to the right side of his face." Details of the suspect were also released, with the 35-year-old, from Newcastle now subject to an alert for other members of the policing force to prevent him from leaving London.

Where is he?

An exact location for the attacker is not yet known, but police have reason to believe he is with associates who are now harbouring the alkaline attack suspect. Ezedi was marked as a probable suspect in the attack, with police last seeing the individual fleeing from the scene after he crashed a vehicle on Lessar Avenue. The suspect made his way toward Clapham Common on foot. Further sightings allege he was seen travelling in the Caledonian Road area of north London. He is believed to have travelled from Newcastle to carry out the attack.

The manhunt is currently underway and Metropolitan Police officials warned members of the public not to approach the wanted man. Further updates from Superintendent Gabriel Cameron note the reason for the attack is not yet known. He said: "We know it is a corrosive alkaline substance. We can buy all sorts in the high street." The police representative had "no idea of the suspect's motivation" but was "wholeheartedly confident we will catch him".

He added: said: "I plea not to approach him... He has significant injuries to the right side of the face. We will catch him. I am wholeheartedly confident... We will catch the male."

Metropolitan Police are working with Northumbria Constabulary and British Transport Police to locate and detain the man, and stress they "will catch him".

What is the condition of the injuries‌?

A total of 12 people were injured in the attack, with two suffering potentially 'life-changing' injuries (PA)

Injuries sustained by the mum and daughter were believed to be "life-changing" as hospital staff are yet to give a confirmation on the severity of the injuries. Speaking on the family's injuries, Metropolitan Police Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said: "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."

One resident living near the scene of the attack, Shannon, told the BBC she had rushed to get the child out of harm's way and was left with minor burns herself. She later claimed the 31-year-old mother was seen walking through the street shouting "I can't see, I can't see."

Shannon said: "I've then seen her mum walking up the road saying 'I can't see I can't see'. As I came back, that's when I saw the woman who had been attacked... so I ran inside to get some water and just sprayed her down with water. People were just screaming everywhere, there were fifteen police cars and fire brigades, it was quite a stressful moment."

Timeline

An alkaline corrosive had been thrown on Lessar Avenue in Clapham, south London, in what is believed to be a targeted attack. Emergency services were called at about 7.25pm, with victims of the attack taken to hospital, with some discharged later in the evening. At this time, police say they chased a man attempting to make off from the scene in a car, which was abandoned after the driver crashed.

Several people were injured in the attack, including a mum, 31, and her two daugthers, aged three and eight. Police said today that all three remain in hospital and the injuries to the woman and younger girl could be "life changing". Other individuals injured in the attack include five police officers, three women, and a woman living near the scene of the attack who cared for the children who were targeted. A man in his 50s who also helped declined hospital treatment for minor injuries he suffered Belvedere Hotel confirmed some guests at the property had been injured in the attack also.

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Superintendent Gabriel Cameron confirmed Ezedi was the police's probable target (PA)

Their statement read: "Belvedere Hotel staff, having supported the work of the emergency services, provided assistance to the guests affected and sought to reassure other hotel guests as to their safety and wellbeing. The staff team will continue to provide assistance to guests and the police going forward. As this is an ongoing police investigation, we are not able to provide any further comment."

Police are now hunting for Ezedi and his associates who may be harbouring the probable suspect at this time. The area of the attack is still cordoned off by police and a crime scene presence is set to be in place for a considerable period.

What have police said?

Immediately after the attack, Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said: "It was reported that a man had thrown a child to the ground and that a substance – which we now know to be alkaline – had been thrown. The man attempted to make off in a car but collided with a stationary vehicle, and then made off on foot, in the direction of Clapham Common."

The Metropolitan Police is now asking for anyone with information regarding the attack to come forward. He added: "Officers from across the Met are working with partner agencies and forces to locate and arrest the man. While this appears a targeted attack, he is a dangerous individual and we urgently need to find him. We will release more information about him as soon as we can.

"Any members of the public who saw what happened can help us by calling 101 quoting reference CAD 7790/31Jan. I also urge local people and drivers to check their doorbells and dash cameras for any footage that might have captured a man fleeing the area, and to please contact us immediately. An extensive crime scene is in place and is likely to remain in place for some time."

Ewan Gleadow