Police have launched a manhunt in London after a three-year-old girl was grabbed out of a car and “slammed” to the ground by an attacker who then threw a corrosive substance, believed to be acid, at the child’s mother.
Eleven people, including the woman and her two children, were treated in hospital after the incident, which took place near Clapham Common in south London at 7:25 p.m. on Wednesday night.
The police later identified the suspect as Abdul Ezedi, 35, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and said they believed he would be showing, “significant injuries to the right side of his face.”
Those injured included three members of the public who tried to intervene and five police officers who arrived at the scene.
Shannon Christi, 35, who lives nearby, said she helped rescue the little girl, who she estimated was about three years old.
Ms. Christi told the PA news agency she came outside when she heard a bang and someone shouting for help.
She said: “As I run outside I’ve seen this guy throwing a child on the floor, he picked her up and threw her again. So at that point I ran in and I grabbed her and took her into my block.”
Ms. Christi said the man appeared to be known to the woman, who was Asian.
She said she felt a “tingling” sensation afterwards, even after washing her hands and face.
‘Considerable Public Concern’
Superintendent Gabriel Cameron, from the Metropolitan Police, gave a statement on Thursday in which he acknowledged the, “considerable public concern following this terrible incident.”He said: “The woman, who is aged 31, and her two daughters, aged eight and three, all remain in hospital. While none of their conditions are life-threatening, the injuries to the woman and younger girl could be life-changing.”
Supt. Cameron said: “It may be some time before hospital staff are able to say how serious that might be. I am sure the public will join me in saying they are in our thoughts and we wish them the fullest possible recovery.”
He said three women who “bravely came to the aid of the family” suffered minor burns but have been discharged from hospital.
Supt. Cameron said, “All these members of the public, and my officers, deserve enormous recognition and praise for coming to the aid of this woman and children in what must have been a terrifying scenario.”
He also praised the staff at a nearby hotel staff who gave refuge and assistance to those who were affected.
The attacker fled the scene and is now being sought by the police, who are believed to be aware of his identity.
Supt. Cameron said: “We believe the man and woman are known to each other. Our investigation is in its early stages and we are working to establish why this awful incident has happened.”
Search on for ‘Dangerous Individual’
Supt. Cameron said, “While this appears a targeted attack, he is a dangerous individual and we urgently need to find him.”On Wednesday night Marina Ahmad, Labour’s Greater London Assembly member for Lambeth and Southwark, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “There has been a traffic collision with a man assaulting occupants in a car and throwing acid. Victims include children.”
Lynch and the other man were both given long jail sentences.
