Chemical attack timeline - suspect's movements after mum and daughter targeted

02 February 2024 , 20:20

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Chemical attack timeline - suspect's movements after mum and daughter targeted

The suspect in the south London alkali attack remains on the run after 48 hours and is being hunted by multiple police forces.

Abdul Ezedi, 35, who has "significant injuries to the right side of his face", was last seen at King's Cross tube station some 90 minutes after the attack in Lessar Avenue, Clapham.

He has been urged by police to "do the right thing and hand yourself in", as it emerged officers have found "significant and important" evidence during searches. Ezedi, from the Newcastle area, is still at large following Wednesday's attack in Clapham, south London.

A 31-year-old mother, believed to be known to Ezedi, was attacked with a corrosive alkaline substance and remains "very poorly" and sedated in hospital, with her injuries thought to be "life-changing", police said today. The injuries to her daughters, aged three and eight, are "not likely to be life-changing".

Abdul Shokoor Ezedi remains on the run (Metropolitan Police/AFP via Gett)

Ezedi spotted on the London Underground (Police Handout)

Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell told reporters outside Scotland Yard that "significant and important pieces of evidence" were recovered in searches carried out in east London and Newcastle on Thursday night. He said: "In terms of our manhunt for Ezedi, we've got a large team of very experienced detectives leading the manhunt, using all the tactics that you would expect us to use, lots of officers out on the ground.

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"We're working very closely with colleagues from Transport for London, British Transport Police and our colleagues in Northumbria Police as well. Last night, five search warrants were executed - two in east London and three up in Newcastle. We've recovered some significant and important pieces of evidence which will help with our investigation."

Making a direct appeal to Ezedi, Mr Savell said: "Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries. We've seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in."

Here's a timeline of how events have unfolded so far:

CCTV grab shows Ezedi with a large wound on his face

Wednesday

00.15am - Ezedi's vehicle is seen in Newcastle, where he had been living.

6.30am - His vehicle is seen travelling into Tooting, south London.

4.30pm - A further sighing of his car is confirmed in Croydon.

7pm - He is then seen driving in Streatham.

7.25pm - The attack on a 31-year-old woman, believed to be known to Ezedi, who was with her daughters, aged three and eight, takes place in Lessar Avenue.

Ezedi makes off in his car which crashes nearby. He then leaves the vehicle and runs off.

The Metropolitan Police was called to the scene, with 12 people, including five officers, injured.

7.33pm - Ezedi boards a train at Clapham South tube station.

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7.59pm - He leaves that train at King's Cross tube station.

8.42pm - He is seen on CCTV leaving Tesco at 21 Caledonian Road. He exits and turns right. He has significant injuries and is believed to have bought a bottle of water.

9pm - Ezedi enters King's Cross tube station and boards a Victoria Line tube southbound.

Thursday

Around 9.30am - Scotland Yard says the 31-year-old woman and three-year-old girl have potentially life-changing injuries.

1.35pm - Ezedi's identity is revealed and members of the public are warned to stay away from him.

The Met said it is working with Northumbria Police as the wanted man may be trying to return to the North East.

4pm - There was a heightened police presence on Caledonian Road, as unmarked cars with blue sirens could be seen and police vehicles drove around the area.

6pm - The image of Ezedi buying a bottle of water is released.

Overnight Thursday to Friday - Police carry out a total of five search warrants, at two addresses in east London and three in Newcastle.

Friday

3.36pm - Police hold a press conference, giving a timeline of Ezedi's movements, an update on the condition of the mother and her daughters and issuing new images of Ezedi at King's Cross underground station.

Commander Jon Savell makes a direct appeal to Ezedi to hand himself into police, so he can get the urgent medical treatment he needs.

Ryan Merrifield