12 people, including mom and 2 daughters, injured in chemical attack in south London: Reports

Twelve people, including a mother and her two daughters, were injured in a chemical attack in Clapham, South London on Wednesday night, according to multiple reports.

Police said the mother, 31, and her daughters, aged 8 and 3, are in the hospital after Wednesday's attack and that their injuries "could be life-changing," according to the British Broadcasting Corporation. Police said an alkaline substance was used in the attack.

Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, confirmed to the BBC there were 12 people injured in the attack. In addition to the woman and her two daughters, who Rowley said were the targets of the attack, there were four members of the public involved, three of whom went to the hospital for treatment and one who declined.

Additionally, there were five police officers involved in helping, however none of them have had to stay in the hospital, according to Rowley.

Suspect identified in London attack

The BBC is reporting that police have named Abdul Ezedi, 35, as the suspect in the chemical attack. Police said Ezedi traveled to London from the Newcastle area and has a "significant injury" on his face. Police said Ezedi attempted to escape in a car but hit another vehicle and then took off on foot.

Ezedi was last seen in north London and police are cautioning people to be vigilant and not approach Ezei if they see him.

According to the BBC, police have "no idea" what Ezedi's motive was but say they are "wholeheartedly confident" he will be caught.

Rowley told the BBC the attack doesn't appear to be random, but appears to be a targeted attack between two people "known to each other." There are no suggestions the attack has anything to do with terrorism, according to Rowley.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alkaline attack in London injures 12 people in Clapham Wednesday