An arrest has been made years after a Hofstra University student of Pakistani origin was attacked with acid in New York.
Police say the attack happened on March 17, 2021. Nafiah Ikram, who was 21 at the time, had just returned home to Elmont around 8:30 p.m. A hooded person ran up behind her in her driveway and threw acid in her face before driving away.
Ikram suffered serious injuries. She spent 15 days in the hospital. The acid burned her face, neck and hands. She also had trouble breathing after some of the acid went into her mouth when she screamed for help. She continues to deal with vision problems, facial scarring and emotional trauma.
On Tuesday, authorities charged 29-year-old Terrell Campbell in connection with the attack. He faces charges of assault, criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of noxious material. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and was held without bail.
Campbell lives in Brooklyn with his mother. Prosecutors say he was identified after a tip led investigators to a red Nissan Altima seen near the scene.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said investigators reviewed Campbell’s internet search history. She said that minutes after the attack, there were searches asking how to remove sulfuric acid from car fabric. Donnelly also said that two years later, Campbell posted a music video online in which he bragged about throwing acid in a woman’s face.
Police did not release details about the tip but said someone will receive the $50,000 reward. Officials said the motive is still under investigation but investigators believe it could be a hate crime.
Ikram attended the court hearing on Tuesday.
“I’m glad that the uncertainty is over and I don’t have to keep looking over my shoulder,” she said. “But something still doesn’t make sense.”
The investigation is ongoing.
