Clapham Chemical attack: Police raid two addresses as investigation develops
Police have revealed more of the Clapham Chemical attack suspect’s movements as the manhunt to find Abdul Shokoor Ezedi moved north in the early hours of yesterday morning.
A major search is under way to find the 35-year-old, who is accused of attacking a woman and her two children with a strong alkali liquid on January 31.
The latest sighting on the night of the attack sees Ezedi crossing Chelsea Bridge into Battersea Park at around 11.30pm, before crossing back minutes later.
In the latest developments in the investigation, officers from the Met and Northumbria Police executed warrants at addresses associated with Ezedi, including his place of work, in the north Tyneside area of Newcastle.
No arrests were made but enquiries continue, the Met said.
The Met have said the motivation for the attack on January 31 appears to be the “breakdown of a relationship”. Officers said the mother agreed to meet him on the day of the incident.
Police are treating the attack as attempted murder.
Officers said the 31-year-old mother was still sedated in hospital and too ill to speak due to her “significant injuries”.
She may lose sight in her right eye. Her two daughters – aged eight and three – have been discharged from hospital. Their injuries were assessed as not life-changing.
The Met has offered a £20,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the 35-year-old’s successful conviction.
Ezedi, who is from Newcastle, is not the father of the children in the attack.
Met Police Commander Jon Savell said Ezedi suffered a “significant injury” during the attack, which could be “life threatening” and will “continue to deteriorate”. He has not been to hospital, police said, and hospitals remain on high alert.
CCTV footage shows Ezedi walking across Vauxhall Bridge on the night of the attack (Picture: The Met)
Officers said they believed Ezedi was now either being hidden by someone or had come to harm.
A 22-year-old man was arrested on Monday morning on suspicion of assisting an offender in connection with the attack. He was released on bail later that day.
Commander Savell said cops believed the man may have allegedly helped to hide Ezedi after the attack, but a “number of lines of inquiry” were being pursued.
A spokesman for the Met said: “Anyone with information is asked to call our 24/7 hotline on 020 7175 2784 or, for an immediate sighting, dial 999.
“To remain anonymous, please contact the independent charity, Crimestoppers.”
Pictured top: Ezedi can be seen in the bottom right of the image wearing a black jacket (Picture: The Met)