Police have reported that Abdul Ezedi, an Afghan asylum seeker suspected of perpetrating a chemical attack in Clapham, may be deceased after his last known whereabouts near Southwark Bridge. CCTV footage captured Ezedi near the Thames two hours after he allegedly attacked a 31-year-old woman and her two children with a corrosive substance and attempted to run them over before fleeing.
Scotland Yard disclosed that a 22-year-old man was arrested and later released on bail under suspicion of aiding an offender. Despite a police raid conducted in London, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of Ezedi's demise.
The 35-year-old's last sighting occurred on Southwark Bridge at 9:50 PM, after he departed Tower Hill Tube station and crossed the river, according to detectives. Commander Jon Savell expressed concerns that Ezedi may have encountered harm, considering the absence of recent sightings and his prolonged disappearance.
Counter-terrorism units have been deployed to analyze extensive CCTV footage in pursuit of Ezedi, who traveled from Newcastle to carry out the assault. He purportedly evaded capture by fleeing onto the Tube network, utilizing his bank card for travel across London before his last known transaction on Wednesday.
The ongoing manhunt, now in its fifth day, includes a £20,000 reward for information leading to Ezedi's apprehension. Despite receiving over 200 public calls reporting potential sightings, none have been substantiated.
Detective Superintendent Rick Sewart remarked on the investigation's complexities, particularly due to Ezedi's lack of a mobile phone. The recovered device from the vehicle used in the attack is undergoing forensic examination.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that Ezedi was not the father of the injured children, and his relationship with the mother remains unclear. The woman, currently in critical condition, risks losing vision in her right eye, while her children have been discharged.
Ezedi's criminal history includes convictions for sex offenses in 2018, though he remained in the UK as his sentence did not meet deportation criteria. Despite two previous asylum rejections, he was granted leave to remain after a priest testified to his conversion to Christianity.
Described as a "very dangerous offender," Ezedi's actions have inflicted severe injuries, prompting an extensive search operation spanning multiple areas in London. His movements on the day of the attack have been tracked from Newcastle to Clapham, highlighting the urgency of the ongoing investigation.
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