A Fateful Night in South London
On the night of 31 January, a corrosive substance attack occurred in South London, injuring a mother and her two children. The suspected perpetrator, Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, 35, has been missing since that night. The last known sighting of Ezedi was captured on CCTV footage at 23.25 on the same day of the attack. In the video, Ezedi is seen wearing a black jacket with a hood, crossing the road, and walking onto the pavement. The Metropolitan Police now believe that Ezedi is dead after going into the River Thames. This conclusion is based on the working hypothesis that he entered the water after being last seen at Chelsea Bridge.
Cold Case or Closed Case?
The Metropolitan Police have been combing through hundreds of CCTV footages in an attempt to trace Ezedi’s movements on the night of the attack. His most recent sighting was on Chelsea Bridge, where his behavior was noted to have changed. The police believe he may have leaned over the railings before the CCTV sightings ceased. Police Commander Jon Savell stated at a press conference that the most probable outcome is Ezedi’s death by drowning in the River Thames, despite no body being recovered to date.
A Suspect with a Past
Ezedi, an Afghan refugee, arrived in the UK in a lorry in 2016. His asylum claim was rejected twice before he successfully appealed against the Home Office, claiming he had converted to Christianity. Ezedi was also convicted of two sexual offenses in 2018 but was allowed to stay in the UK as his crimes did not meet the threshold for deportation. It was later revealed that he had been granted asylum following his sexual assault conviction.
The Victims and the Fallout
The chemical attack has left the victims in a severe condition, with the mother still sedated in hospital and fears of potential sight loss in one eye. The children, although discharged, are marked by the horrific incident. Ezedi has been wanted on suspicion of attempted murder over the attack.
The incident has caught political attention in Britain due to the ongoing heated debate on controlling illegal migration. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to address the issue as a key part of his campaign ahead of an election expected later this year.
A Disturbing Trend
The case of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi is a stark reminder of the growing concern over the use of corrosive substances in attacks. These incidents have a profound impact on the victims, not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. As the authorities continue to investigate and prevent such attacks, the public must also remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police.
https://medriva.com/breaking-news/suspected-london-chemical-attacker-believed-to-have-drowned-in-the-river-thames/
