Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi’s injures may be fatal, police confirmed in a fresh update, as the manhunt entered its second week.
In a press conference on Wednesday, a week after Ezedi allegedly doused a mother and her two children with a chemical, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that injuries he sustained from the attack could be fatal.
They described Ezedi as having a “significant facial injury” and that if it is not treated urgently, it could end his life.
In another update, officers said that the woman Ezedi allegedly attacked remained sedated in hospital and was “too poorly to speak” as a result of her “significant injuries”.
Commander Jon Savell, from the Metropolitan Police, also noted in a press conference on Wednesday that the attack was being treated as attempted murder.
It is believed, according to the Daily Mirror, that a motive for the attack was a breakdown in a relationship between the woman and Ezedi, a 35-year-old convicted sex offender.
He said: “There is a strong indication that the motive was they were in a relationship and that relationship had broken down.”
He described the manhunt for Ezedi as “an incredibly high priority attempted murder investigation”.
Currently, a £20,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to Ezedi’s arrest, who is believed to have travelled more than 280 miles from Newcastle to Clapham last week in order to attack the 31-year-old woman.
Despite sustaining injuries himself, Ezedi has not been to hospital and police confirmed institutions across the country remain on high alert.
In total, 12 people suffered injuries as a result of Ezedi’s actions, with the mother’s injuries described as “life-changing”.
The force added that Ezedi was likely to have received help in being able to remain undetected.
It comes as on Monday a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. He was taken into custody and later released on bail as investigations continued.
A team of more than 100 officers are dedicated to the investigation, with the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police and Northumbria Police in Newcastle working on the case.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Met’s 24/7 hotline on 020 7175 2784 – or for an immediate sighting dial 999.
Police have previously warned Ezedi could be dangerous and should not be approached.
