How the Clapham alkali attack and manhunt for suspect Abdul Ezedi has unfolded

The suspect is on the run and the manhunt for him is in its sixth day.
A still from CCTV footage of Abdul Ezedi on Upper Thames Street (Metropolitan Police/PA)
PA Media
Pa Reporters6 February 2024

The suspect in the south London alkali attack is on the run and the police manhunt for him is in its sixth day.

Abdul Ezedi, 35, who has “significant injuries to the right side of his face”, was last seen passing the Unilever building near Blackfriars Station and heading towards Victoria Embankment on Wednesday, more than two hours after the attack in Clapham, south London.

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

– 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 takes place in Lessar Avenue on a 31-year-old woman, believed to be known to Ezedi, who was with her daughters, aged three and eight. Ezedi is not the father of the children.

Ezedi allegedly throws the younger child to the ground and makes off in his car, which crashes into a stationary vehicle nearby. He then runs off.

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

– 7.33pm

Ezedi boards a train at Clapham South Tube station.

– 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.

-9.10pm

Ezedi arrives at Victoria Station and then boards a District Line Tube eastbound at 9.16pm.

– 9.33pm

He is seen leaving Tower Hill Underground Station.

– 9.47pm

Ezedi is seen on Allhallows Lane in the City of London. He travels through a passage to Cousin Lane and then turns right, walking towards Upper Thames Street.

– 9.51pm

He turns left onto Upper Thames Street and travels along the street at 9.54pm.

– 9.59pm

Ezedi passes the City of London School on Pauls Walk, heading towards Blackfriars Bridge, passing the riverboat pier.

– 10.04pm

He passes the Unilever building and heads towards Victoria Embankment in the last recorded sighting of him.

– Thursday

– About 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 disclosed and people are warned to stay away from him.

The Met said they are 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 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.

– Saturday

– 4.55pm

Police release footage of empty containers with corrosive warnings being found in a raid on an address in Newcastle.

Tests are continuing to find out if the substance is the one used in the Clapham attack.

They also say they have received dozens of calls about the manhunt, including possible sightings, as they renewed their appeal for the public’s help catching him.

– Sunday

– 12.20pm

Police say a reward of up to £20,000 is on offer to anyone who can provide information leading to Ezedi’s arrest.

Detectives also confirm analysis of the substance shows it is a “very strong concentrated corrosive substance”, either liquid sodium hydroxide or liquid sodium carbonate.

The Met also releases CCTV video footage of Ezedi in the Tesco on Caledonian Road, where he is seen buying what appears to be water in the self-service checkout before leaving the shop.

– Monday

Officers arrest a 22-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender. He is later released on bail.

Police say the mother may lose sight in her right eye.

The most recent sighting of Ezedi was at about 9.50pm on Wednesday near Southwark Bridge, although there is no suggestion he jumped into the Thames.

They tracked his movements around the Tube network using his bank card, but it has not been used since Wednesday.

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