Clapham: Chemical attack suspect is ex-asylum seeker who was convicted of sexual assault
The suspect in the Clapham chemical attack is a former asylum seeker who was convicted of sexual assault in Newcastle, Sky News understands.
It comes after police issued a new photo of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, who only had his asylum granted on his third application.
It is understood he was handed a suspended sentence for a sexual offence in 2018, and was discharged from probation supervision in 2020.
On Thursday evening, Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said the new image, taken at 8.48pm on Wednesday, was of the last-known sighting of Ezedi in Caledonian Road, north London, and was less than two hours after the assault.
“The image is taken from the Tesco store, where Ezedi is believed to have purchased a bottle of water,” he said in a statement. “He left the shop and turned right.
“The image shows Ezedi with what appears to be significant injuries to the right side of his face. This makes him distinctive.
“If you see Ezedi, call 999 immediately. He should NOT be approached.”
Clapham chemical attack latest: Manhunt under way for suspect
Pic: PA
The police warning came after a woman and two girls were targeted in south London on Wednesday evening.
The suspect, 35, from Newcastle, is believed to have travelled down to London earlier that day before the attack near Clapham Common and could be heading back, according to police.
Both Northumbria Police and the British Transport Police are helping the Met with the manhunt.
Officers have also confirmed a car involved in the attack belonged to Ezedi, while the substance used in the attack was alkaline.
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How did Clapham chemical attack unfold?
A 31-year-old mother and her three-year-old daughter, alongside her other daughter, aged eight, remain in hospital following the incident.
The mother and the younger child may have suffered life-changing injuries, according to police.
Officers said the suspect was known to the woman and described the attack as “targeted”.
A total of 12 people were hurt during the incident, including the mother and her two children, and five officers who were injured as they responded.
Pic: PA
Three women – two in their 30s and one in her 50s – were also injured when they came to the aid of the woman and her two children.
They have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns injuries.
A man in his 50s, who also helped, declined hospital treatment for minor injuries he suffered.
‘We will catch him’
Metropolitan Police Superintendent Gabriel Cameron
Officers say Ezedi attempted to make off from the scene in a car following the incident, but crashed with another vehicle, and then made off on foot in the direction of Clapham Common.
Earlier on Thursday at a news conference, Superintendent Cameron urged people not to approach Ezedi.
“If you see him [Ezedi], I plea do not approach him,” he said.
“And if you see him, call 999. He has significant injuries to the right side of his face.”
Asked if he would be caught, Superintendent Cameron added: “We have got a significant asset looking for this man.
“We will catch him. I am wholeheartedly confident.”
Pic: PA
CCTV of attack
Footage has emerged of the attack, which took place in Lessar Avenue shortly before 7.30pm on Wednesday.
The CCTV footage shows a man running around a car before getting into the driver’s seat, with a woman and child in front of the vehicle holding their hands to their faces.
In the video, a car is driven at the woman and strikes her, before a man stops the vehicle and gets out. He opens the back door and appears to remove a child, before violently throwing them to the ground.
The video also appears to show people from neighbouring properties leaving their homes to chase the man down the road.
‘It was all so traumatising’
One witness, who asked to remain anonymous, told Sky News: “He grabbed one of the two children and violently grabbed them and slammed them on the floor.
“The lady then shouted: ‘My eyes! My eyes! Call the police, my eyes!’
“Then I saw him run off. It was all so traumatising.”
Another witness described how he tried to wash the chemical from the woman’s face.
“The man then threw something at the woman. She was screaming: ‘My eyes! My eyes!’
“I then ran into my house, grabbed a water bottle and threw water on her eyes. Her lips were black. Her skin looked burnt.”
Counter-terrorism police are investigating after an incident involving a crossbow and a firearm left two women injured in Leeds.
Police were called to Otley Road at 2.47pm on Saturday to reports of a “serious incident involving a man seen with weapons”, West Yorkshire Police said.
Officers arrived at the scene to find two women injured – and a 38-year-old man with a self-inflicted injury. All three were taken to hospital, with the man held under arrest, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
“Two weapons have been recovered from the scene, which were a crossbow and a firearm,” Counter Terrorism Policing North East said in a statement.
The incident happened on the ‘Otley Run’ pub crawl, with one venue saying it was closed for the evening due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Officers guard one of the crime scenes
Officers inside the cordon in Leeds
Counter Terrorism Policing’s statement added: “Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, Counter Terrorism Policing North East have taken responsibility for leading the investigation with the support of West Yorkshire Police.
“Extensive enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described it as a “serious violent incident” and said she was being kept updated by police.
“Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response,” she said. “My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this attack.”
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Wrexham AFC have been promoted for the third season in a row.
The North Wales-based side has gone from the National League to the Championship in just three seasons, under its Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham were second in the table and had a run of eight games unbeaten ahead of their match against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, which they won 3-0.
Wrexham’s James McClean lifts the League One trophy. Pic: PA
Wrexham’s Dan Scarr celebrates with the fans on the pitch after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
It is the first time any club has been promoted for three consecutive seasons within the top five tiers of English football.
The third oldest association football club in the world, Wrexham AFC was bought by Reynolds and McElhenney in 2020, and has since been the subject of a Disney+ documentary, Welcome To Wrexham.
Reynolds, wearing a Wrexham sweatshirt, and McElhenney were pictured celebrating each goal, and after the game, as the fans came onto the pitch at the SToK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground) to celebrate the victory with the players.
Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (L) and Ryan Reynolds and Ryan’s wife Blake Lively, before the match. Pic: PA
Both stars came onto the pitch after the supporters returned to the stands.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McElhenney praised those behind the scenes, referring to “so many that don’t get the credit they deserve, people who aren’t talked about”.
Reynolds said bringing success back to the club “seemed like an impossible dream” when they arrived in North Wales in 2020.
Wrexham’s Sam Smith celebrates in front of the fans after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
He put the three promotions down to “the coaching staff, the greatest dressing room” and an “all for one, one for all” attitude throughout the club, adding he was “speechless with their commitment and their emotion”.
As for the mouth-watering prospect of another promotion to the promised land of the Premier League, the pair agreed it was “for tomorrow”, before ending the interview with a joint mic-drop.
Veteran striker Steven Fletcher said, “as soon as I came to this club, I knew it was something special. We want to go again. We’ll reset in the summer, take a break and go again”.
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