Chilling moment chemical attack suspect walks through crowd with horror injuries

07 February 2024 , 19:30

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This is the chilling moment chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi walks through a crowd just hours after allegedly leaving a mum with "life-changing injuries".

Detectives today said they have a clearer understanding of Ezedi's motive - he had been in a relationship with the 31-year-old victim but it broke down. She and her two daughters, aged three and eight, were rushed to hospital on Wednesday January 31 after a corrosive substance was thrown at them in Clapham, south London.

And new CCTV footage, released today by the Metropolitan Police, captures Ezedi, 35, walking south on Westminster Bridge in central London at 10.33pm, three hours after the attack approximately four miles away. He had a "significant facial injury," which he is believed to still have, as police believe he hasn't visited hospital since the attack.

Ezedi, who is a convicted sex offender, walked across Westminster Bridge, down the steps on the London Eye side towards Lambeth and then walked west on south Thames Path towards Lambeth Bridge.

He travelled along the Albert Embankment approaching Vauxhall Bridge, and then crossed the bridge. His last known movement was on Grosvenor Road, near Vauxhall Bridge, at 11.03pm.

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Abdul Ezedi, circled in red, was seen on Westminster Bridge at 10.33pm on the night of the attack (Met Police)

Commander Jon Savell, of Metropolitan Police, said: "Our investigation team has been working tirelessly to piece together information to discover what happened.

"While we still retain an open mind, it appears the motivation for this truly awful attack is the breakdown of a relationship. The woman remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital. As we know she has very serious injuries and remains sedated and so poorly we haven’t yet been able to speak to her.

"This was a senseless and cruel attack by a dangerous man – we urge anyone with information about Ezedi’s whereabouts to contact us as matter of urgency. He is wanted for attempted murder."

Abdul Ezedi is pictured on CCTV heading towards Westminster Bridge (Met Police)

Police understand Ezedi was in a relationship with the victim after analysing the man's mobile phone, found in a car at the scene of the attack. He is alleged to have travelled 280 miles to Clapham from Newcastle, where at least two addresses have been sea rched since the horror.

Detailed and lengthy analysis of CCTV continues to track Ezedi’s next movements on the night of the attack. The manhunt is being led and co-ordinated by the Specialist Crime Command, with a team of more than 100 officers dedicated to the investigation from across a range of areas and specialisms including experienced detectives through to local neighbourhood officers.

Ezedi, who has a significant facial injury, has been described by police as a 'dangerous man' (PA)

Detailed and lengthy analysis of CCTV continues to track Ezedi’s next movements on the night of the attack (Met Police)

Commander Savell added: “We have worked with the National Crime Agency to commission medical experts to provide an assessment of Ezedi’s injuries. Those experts are clear Ezedi suffered a significant injury in the attack and is in increasing danger of an infection if he does not seek urgent medical attention. That will be extremely serious, if not life-threatening.

“To the best of our knowledge he has not been to hospital or sought professional medical help. At our request, all hospitals remain on high-alert. As time goes on, Ezedi’s health will continue to deteriorate. Ezedi – hand yourself into police, not only so we can speak to you, but so you can get the urgent medical treatment you obviously need.”

Darius Nasimi, from the charity the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association, said: “This is a tragic incident for this mother and her two children. Violence against women and girls can not be tolerated.

Police dashed to the incident in Clapham, south London, on Wednesday January 31 (PA)

“I would urge the Afghan community to help the police and provide any information at all about where Ezedi is, who is providing him with accommodation, who is harbouring him and helping him evade capture. You can also speak to our charity and we will help liaise with the police and pass information on if you feel you don’t want to speak to them directly.

"I make a direct appeal to him – hand yourself in. This has been going on for long enough. You need medical attention. What has happened in this case should have no reflection on the people of Afghanistan in the UK. This does not represent them."