A manhunt is underway for a suspect wanted in connection with an acid attack in south London. Abdul Shakoor Ezedi, aged 35, is believed to have caused “significant” injuries to the face of a mother and daughter in Clapham on Wednesday evening before fleeing the scene. The pair, aged 31 and three, could have suffered “life-changing” injuries and remain in hospital alongside the older daughter, aged eight.
A total of 12 people were hurt in the attack, including three women who responded to the incident. Of four members of the public who tried to intervene, three were injured including two women in their 30s and one in her 50s. Five officers who were injured as they responded to the incident have also been discharged from hospital. The mother and her daughters were attacked on Lessar Avenue in Clapham at 7.25pm.
Although police believe the suspect is known to the family, they are not yet clear on his exact relationship with them. Ezedi travelled to London from the Newcastle area before the incident took place. He is considered a “dangerous individual” and the public are being warned not to approach him. “While this appears to be a targeted attack, he is a dangerous individual, and we urgently need to find him,” the Metropolitan Police said earlier on Thursday. Police are urging local residents and drivers to check their doorbell and dash cameras for any footage of Ezedi fleeing the area. A crime scene is in place and is expected to remain for some time.
Superintendent Gabriel Cameron told reporters on Thursday that he had “no idea” what Ezedi’s motivation may have been, but believes he will be caught soon. The suspect is believed to be from the Newcastle area and the car left at the scene, a Hyundai, belonged to him. Police say that although the incident appears to have been a targeted attack, they require the public’s help to find Ezedi who remains a dangerous individual. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the police by calling 101 and quoting reference CAD 7790/31Jan.
Sir Mark Rowley, Met Police Chief, confirmed that the burns suffered by the mother and her two daughters were “quite substantial” although he did not have all of the information regarding their injuries. A few residents claim to have heard a cry for help and ran outside to find the suspect slamming a young girl to the ground. One witness proclaimed the mother sobbed: “I can’t see, I can’t see!” whilst some bystanders were taken to the hospital for burn treatment.
This attack was carried out using a suspected “corrosive substance” which sheds light on the increasingly alarming issue of acid attacks in the UK. Recently, two teenagers were sentenced to jail after being found guilty of attacking five scooter riders with corrosive substances, whilst another incident in North London involved five separate attacks taking place across 90 minutes
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