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After a shopkeeper spoke of his surprise on seeing Abdul Shokoor Ezedi revealed as the suspect behind a chemical attack on Wednesday, another local who regularly saw the 35-year-old said he is “shocked”.

The asylum support worker, based near the centre of Newcastle, where Ezedi is believed to have lived, said Ezedi had shown no signs of violent behaviour or mental health issues previously.

He also said his records indicate Ezedi is from Iran, though reports elsewhere have suggested he is from Afghanistan.

“He has been coming here for more than two years, since I took over the project here,” the charity worker, who wanted to remain anonymous, said.

“He seemed a calm person, sitting in the corner by himself, there was never, ever any complaint or any trouble. He never showed any aggressive behaviour.

“When I saw his photo on the news last night, I was shocked, I never expected such a person would be violent to that extent. He was last here two or three weeks ago.”

He added that Ezedi was “identified as a destitute asylum seeker” and did not have access to Home Office support.

He was registered as someone who needs essential food and furniture, the charity worker added.

“Over time, I knew him by face,” he added. “He often came to the centre, every three, four or five weeks.”

Worry for other asylum seekers

The group was “not aware he had been granted the right to remain”, he added, and didn’t know about his criminal record or reported conversion to Christianity.

“I would straight away ask him to give himself up, get medical attention and say he has to be held accountable for what he has done,” the charity worker said, adding he worried innocent asylum seekers will be impacted by the outcry about the case.

“Some clients here have mental health issues, they can sometimes react in an aggressive, violent way, but this is someone you would never expect, this is shocking.”

Police are still searching for Ezedi, who is suspected of carrying out the chemical attack in south London.

Ezedi was ‘laughing and joking’ day before attack, shopkeeper says

A shopkeeper from Newcastle who regularly saw Abdul Shokoor Ezedi called him a “respectful guy” – and told Sky News he was in the shop as recently as Tuesday, a day before the chemical attack in south London with which he is linked. 

Yaya, who runs Sultan Supermarket in the Byker Area where Ezedi is believed to have lived, said the 35-year-old at the centre of a national manhunt had asked to rent a room from him “a few months ago”.

“Honestly, I’m so shocked this happened”, added the shopkeeper, who said he believed Ezedi had no children. 

When Ezedi came to the shop on Tuesday, Yaya said his staff who worked there described to him how Ezedi was relaxed, “laughing and joking” with them. 

According to Yaya, Ezedi told him he worked seven days a week at a pizza shop and would often describe how tiring he found the job.

Where is the police’s focus for the manhunt?

Almost 48 hours on from a chemical attack in south London that injured 12 people – including a mother and young daughter left with potentially life-changing injuries – police are still searching for the suspect.

The public has been asked to report any sightings of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, 35, to police rather than try to approach him.

Here’s what we know of the police’s focus so far, at a glance:

• Ezedi’s last known sighting was at Tesco in Caledonian Road in north London at 8.48pm on Wednesday;
• He is believed to have been living in the Newcastle area;
• The attack happened in Lessar Avenue, near Clapham Common in south London, at 7.25pm;
• On Thursday, there was a heightened police presence in Caledonian Road, including unmarked cars with blue sirens and police vans.

London’s Metropolitan Police says it is working with Northumbria Police – which covers Newcastle – as he could be on his way back to the northeast.

The British Transport Police is also on the lookout, given that Ezedi may have made his way back on a train, if he has tried to return.

Police have warned the public not to approach Ezedi if they see him as he is considered dangerous, and instead they should call 999.