Nearly two years after she was attacked with sulfuric acid in the driveway of her home, Hofstra University student Nafiah Ikram said during a press conference, “To the person that did this, I know that you are going to get your karma one day.” On Tuesday, Feb. 10, nearly five years after the attack, 29-year-old Terrell Campbell was charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon and unlawfully possessing noxious material.
Then 21-year-old Ikram had just returned to her home on Arlington Avenue in Elmont, New York around 8 p.m. on March 17, 2021, when an unidentified male threw sulfuric acid at her, leaving Ikram with severe burn injuries and years of reconstructive surgeries ahead of her.
The liquid melted her contact lens, leaving her without vision in her right eye, and gave her second and third degree burns on her face, chest and arms.
“One minute, I was a student and a pharmacy [technician], working 30 to 40, sometimes 50 hours a week, going to the gym,” Ikram said. “And then all of a sudden, [my] whole identity [changed], [my] whole face is burnt. That night I was driving home; I still haven’t driven a car since.”
Hofstra spokesperson Neena Samuel issued a statement on behalf of the university following the attack.
“We’re shocked by this horrific attack, and our thoughts are with [Ikram], her family and friends as she focuses on her recovery,” Samuel wrote in the statement. “We are committed to supporting her through that process and will cooperate and facilitate that in whatever ways are helpful.”
Ikram was a sophomore community health major with a pre-med track at Hofstra. Despite the life-changing trauma, Ikram made use of student accommodations and returned to her classes to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.
“Even back then I would be like, you know, let me make my weakness my strength. So, in that sense, even when it comes to school and stuff like that, I would go in for class even when I had [a] surgical wound in my shoulder,” Ikram said. “I couldn’t even turn my neck. I was still going to class.”
A GoFundMe page that was set up to help Ikram has raised over $600,000 thus far. Ikram regularly shared updates of her journey since the attack through the page. Her most recent update was posted on Tuesday, Feb. 17, where she detailed her struggles and addressed the arrest.
“I really appreciate everyone that reached out regarding the arrest with your kind wishes [and] loving regards. It was so nice to see that everyone else is just [as] angry as me to this day [and] it also was nice how the community really has my back,” Ikram wrote. “I’m very grateful that Allah (God) has revealed a piece of the puzzle. Insha’Allah (God willingly) when it’s the right time everything will fall right into place perfectly [and] hopefully everything will eventually make sense in some way.”
Even though the surveillance video of the attack has now reached over 219,000 views on YouTube, the police were unable to find the attacker until nearly five years later.
“They really need to catch this guy, seriously, I don’t live too far away and I worry so much for my two little girls. The police really needs to step up!!” user @Reserved.allthetime wrote four years ago in a YouTube comment.
The reward in connection with the acid attack that had started with $5,000 increased to $50,000 by 2023.
Two years after the anniversary of the attack, Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages joined local community leaders and the family to call for renewed intensity to provide justice for Ikram. Three years post attack, the family of Ikram publicly criticized the police for the lack of progress in finding the attacker.
The Nassau County District Attorney and Nassau County Police Department received information in connection with the attack in late 2025 through an anonymous tip which proved to be the first important breakthrough, leading investigators directly to Campbell. Campbell is a flower delivery worker and aspiring rapper living in Brooklyn with his mother.
Ikram stated that she did not have any prior connections with Campbell.
Key pieces of evidence that came to light included the getaway car that was identified to be owned by Campbell’s mother, Campbell’s search history on the day of the attack which included searches like “How do I remove sulfuric acid from my car’s fabric?” and a music video of the aspiring rap artist.
Two years after the attack, Campbell felt confident enough to post a YouTube music video titled “Obsidian,” in which he rapped about the incident. One line stating, “On the street in the night like a hitman assassin, try to run up, have your face burning in acid.”
“A harrowing attack boiled down to some lyrics to get him attention,” said District Attorney Anne Donnelly at a news conference on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Ikram stated that although she feels safer now that there was an arrest, there are still unanswered questions regarding the perpetrator’s accomplices, noting that there were two or three people involved.
“Unfortunately, I’m thinking the worst-case scenarios. In a way, it’s like I’m hallucinating things – like flashbacks – I’ll think I saw a shadow of the person running across again. And I’m like, ‘No, like stop it, that’s not him, he’s in jail,’” Ikram said. “That’s where me feeling
relieved is applied in reference to [Campbell] … I’m pretty sure multiple people were in the car. [I’m] hoping that if that comes to light, the reason would be unfolded and maybe I’ll get some closure.”
The five-year statute of limitations was nearing in the case, which would have prevented authorities from making any arrests or prosecuting anyone involved in the attack.
Campbell pleaded not guilty and was ordered to be held without bail. Police previously
said that there was no evidence to determine whether the attack was a hate crime. Today, Donnelly said that the motive is still being investigated, leaving unanswered questions.
Campbell faces 25 years in jail, if convicted. The next court date is March 10.
Ikram is currently on a medical leave of absence at Hofstra. She is a junior in credits and plans to return to Hofstra and continue her degree in the future.
