Abdul Ezedi: Clapham chemical attack suspect ‘most probably dead’ as police to search River Thames
The Clapham chemical attack suspect is most likely dead, police say, as they plan to search the River Thames for his body.
Abdul Ezedi, who went on the run more than a week ago, was believed to have “gone in the water” a few hours after the violent incident in south London on Wednesday 31 January.
He was seen leaning over the railings of Chelsea Bridge in west London that night – but the Metropolitan Police admits his body may never be found because of the speed of the current.
The suspect is accused of pouring a strong alkali on his ex-partner, and also injuring her two daughters, aged three and eight, in the attack at 7.25pm that left a total of 12 people wounded.
Previous photo of Ezedi on left. The image on the right is of him on Wednesday 31 January after the incident. Pics: Met Police
The last sighting of 35-year-old Ezedi was on Chelsea Bridge just before 11.30pm.
He crossed over the bridge and entered Battersea Park, then crossed back over the same bridge minutes later.
The force said he “walked with purpose” before the bridge and then “his behaviour visibly” changed.
“He walks up and down and can be seen leaning over the railings,” said a Met spokesman.
No CCTV of the suspect was seen after this point, the force confirmed.
CCTV image of Ezedi (circled) crossing over Chelsea Bridge and entering Battersea Park. Pic: PA/Met Police
Commander Jon Savell said Ezedi’s body may never be found due to the river’s strong current.
He said: “At this time of year, the Thames is very fast flowing, very wide and full of lots of snags.
“It is quite likely that if he has gone in the water, he won’t appear for maybe up to a month and it’s not beyond possibility that he may never actually surface.”
Detective Superintendent Rick Sewart said the Met had tracked Ezedi’s movements from the Tower Hill area, where he has walked more than four miles “with purpose” to Chelsea Bridge.
Asked whether police were willing to say that Ezedi was dead, Mr Sewart said: “I’m prepared to say that he’s gone into the water and if he’s gone into the water then that’s the most probable outcome.”
Abdul Ezedi’s last known movements on day of attack
Had Ezedi not gone into the water, officers would have had a high degree of confidence in finding him, Mr Savell added.
A behavioural psychologist commissioned by the police viewed the footage and believes it was possible he could have taken his own life.
The Clapham attack involved a corrosive alkaline substance and Ezedi’s ex-partner’s injuries are thought to be “life-changing”.
She may lose the sight in her right eye and remains sedated in hospital, still too ill to speak to police.
The Met has said the breakdown of the relationship could have been a motive for the assault.
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Chemical attack suspect ‘may never be found’
After the attack, the Met launched a manhunt for Ezedi, with assistance from the British Transport Police and officers with Northumbria Police in Newcastle, where he lived.
Read more:
Timeline of hunt for Ezedi
Clapham attack victim just wanted safe home for her children
Police had warned the public that Ezedi was “dangerous” and should not be approached while it was thought he was on the loose.
The attack on Lessar Avenue, near Clapham Common, was captured on CCTV.
Ezedi arrived in the UK via a lorry in 2016 and claimed his life would be in danger if he returned to his native Afghanistan.
He was convicted of two sexual offences in 2018 but was allowed to stay in the UK because his crimes were not serious enough to meet the threshold for deportation.
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How Clapham attack unfolded
The investigation continues with a “significant number of people” dedicated to finding out what happened.
A Marine Policing Unit will be carrying out boat searches at low tide in the area over the coming days, police said.
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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