Suspect in Alkaline Attack was Last Spotted in a Store in North London

Authorities have reported that the individual responsible for the harmful substance incident, which resulted in severe injuries for a young girl and her mother, was recently spotted at a supermarket in north London.

Abdul Ezedi, 35, from the Newcastle area, sustained severe injuries to the right side of his face, according to Metropolitan Police Superintendent Gabriel Cameron. The incident occurred in south London on Wednesday.

A 31-year-old woman, who is believed to have a connection with Ezedi, and her three-year-old daughter, along with her other daughter, aged eight, are currently in the hospital and are in stable condition.

Ezedi was granted asylum after two unsuccessful attempts, it is understood.

An image has been recently released showing the last-known sighting of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi. It reveals that he was seen on Caledonian Road, in Islington, at 8.48pm on Thursday. There was an increased police presence in the area, with unmarked cars and police vans.

According to Mr. Cameron, the image was captured at the Tesco store, where Ezedi is thought to have bought a bottle of water. After leaving the shop, he made a right turn.

The image reveals Ezedi with noticeable injuries on the right side of his face. His uniqueness sets him apart.

If you happen to come across Ezedi, it is crucial that you contact emergency services at 999 without delay. It is advised to avoid any interaction with him.

An intensive search is currently ongoing for the suspect who is considered to be a significant threat. The incident occurred on Lessar Avenue, close to Clapham Common, around 7.25pm, when the suspect reportedly threw the younger child to the ground.

While trying to flee, the perpetrator collided with a parked car and quickly fled on foot.

Home Secretary James Cleverly expressed his dismay at the attack, emphasising his sympathy for the victims and commending the courageous actions of the public and police who stepped in.

I encourage the public to stand behind the Metropolitan Police’s appeal and to step forward with any information they may have.

Given the ongoing investigation, it would not be suitable to provide any additional comments at this time.

“During an ongoing police investigation, it would not be suitable to provide any information regarding the immigration status of a suspect.”

Earlier, Mr Cameron mentioned that the force was working closely with Northumbria Police as Ezedi “could be returning” to Newcastle.

He assured reporters that they would apprehend the individual, expressing unwavering confidence.

Ezedi is thought to have come down from Newcastle on the day of the attack, but investigators are uncertain about the cause of the incident.

According to Mr Cameron, it is possible that Ezedi may have had a previous history with the police.

According to him, it seems that the individual in question might have been familiar to the authorities, although it’s unclear if he is a London local. He has arrived from Newcastle.

According to Mr. Cameron, the incident was described as a terrible offence committed against a vulnerable woman.

The suspect is believed to have utilised a corrosive alkaline substance, although the officer expressed uncertainty regarding its nature as a household product.

Some examples of alkaline substances are oven cleaning and bleach.

The three bystanders who rushed to the family’s aid—two in their thirties and one in her fifties—all suffered only minor burns and were released from the hospital.

The five responding cops were all treated and have already been released from the hospital, according to the force.

According to bus driver Shannon Christi, who was trying to aid the mom and her two children outside their home when she was impaired by the chemical, she was one of the witnesses to the attack.

A person shouted “help,” and she then described hearing a bang.

In the midst of my sprint outside, I witnessed a man hurling a child to the ground before picking her up and flinging her back.

“So I dashed in, snatched her, and dragged her into my block.”

According to Ms Christi, the three-year-old girl refused to identify herself and was inconsolable as she sobbed outside her apartment block.

“I can’t see, I can’t see,” her mother continued as she walked along the road, she said.

“I called out to my partner, and he was already racing down the road, attempting to catch up to the man.”

After the kids were taken inside by the staff at the Clapham South Belvedere Hotel, Ms. Christi went to wash her own face and arms, she added.

The patient’s lips persisted in tingling, burning, and numbness after she had done that, so she remained in the ambulance for a while before being transported to the hospital.

A lot of things happened in a flash.

A man in his 50s who was among the eleven others who were transported to the hospital likewise chose not to receive medical attention for his minor injuries, according to the police.

A “ghastly attack” was how Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley put it.

The use of acid and chemicals in attacks is thankfully quite uncommon, he said the BBC. You may recall that we experienced a wave of these about two or three years ago.

“I’m happy to report that we haven’t seen much of it lately.”

Guests at the Clapham South Belvedere Hotel were victims of a serious event that was reported at 7.25pm last night, according to a statement from the hotel. Ambulance services and police were summoned to the scene.

The employees of the Belvedere Hotel have helped the impacted guests and tried to reassure other guests that they are safe after supporting the efforts of the emergency services.

In the future, the staff will still be available to help both guests and the police.

According to the most recent data available from the Office for National Statistics, there were 472 violent and robbery offences in England and Wales that involved a corrosive substance in the year leading up to March 2023.

In the preceding twelve months, 525 were documented.

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