College Student Was Doused with Acid Over 4 Years Ago in ‘Harrowing’ Attack. Now, an Arrest Has Been Made

A man has been arrested and charged in the brutal acid attack on a Long Island college student that left her fighting for her life outside her home more than four years ago.

Authorities allege Terrell Campbell, 29, of Brooklyn, was so brazen that two years after he attacked Nafiah Ikram from behind on the evening of March 17, 2021 — leaving her screaming in pain on her front lawn in Elmont — he produced and uploaded a music video to YouTube boasting about throwing acid in a woman’s face.

“As unbelievable as it may seem, it is still up on YouTube,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said at a news conference Tuesday, Feb. 10. “A harrowing attack boiled down to some lyrics to get him attention.”

In the song, titled “Obsidian,” Donnelly claims Campbell raps, “On the street in the night like a hitman assassin, trying to run up and have your face burned in acid.”

“It’s sickening, it’s cruel and it’s brazen,” Donnelly said.

Campbell was arraigned Tuesday morning on two counts of assault, one count of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of unlawful possession of noxious materials in connection with the attack. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered remanded by Nassau County Judge Joy Watson.

Ikram, who was 21 years old at the time of the attack and studying at Hofstra University, had just returned home with her mom from a shift at a local CVS when a man threw sulfuric acid at her, covering her face and chest.

Donnelly said it entered Ikram’s eyes and mouth, causing her severe burn injuries and prompting years of reconstructive surgeries.

Ikram permanently lost eyesight in her right eye, Donnelly added, noting that scarring in Ikram’s throat is still so severe she must undergo routine operations to remove scar tissue to be able to breathe and eat normally.

Part of the attack was captured on surveillance video, and video evidence collected shortly after captured the assailant in a red 2013–2015 Nissan Altima speeding away from Ikram’s home.

The attack garnered national attention, and authorities had offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the attacker or anyone else involved. Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder confirmed Tuesday that someone would be receiving that reward but said he could not provide further details.

Donnelly said the arrest comes after new evidence came to light late last year, ultimately kickstarting the investigation. She declined to specify what that evidence was, but said once authorities learned Campbell’s identity, they tracked down his address where they found a red Nissan Altima parked outside.

“We later learned that he had regular use of a red 2015 Nissan Altima back in 2021 that was registered to a family member,” Donnelly said.

Reviews of Campbell’s Google search history also appear to show that in the minutes following the attack, he searched, “How do I remove sulfuric acid from my car’s fabric?” Donnelly alleged.

The five-year statute of limitations was nearing in the case, which would have prevented authorities from arresting or prosecuting anyone involved in the attack.

When asked why he was not charged with murder, Donnelly said it did not fit into the murder statute. Campbell is not known to Ikram’s family, Donnelly said.

She declined to comment on a possible motive, saying it was still being investigated.

Ikram attended the news conference with her family Tuesday but did not speak. Her mother, Sherina Mohammed, thanked everyone who had prayed for her daughter and those who investigated the case.

If convicted, Campbell faces up to 25 years in prison.