ELMONT, N.Y. (TCN) — A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a 2021 acid attack on a college student at her home.
Nafiah Ikram, a 21-year-old student at Hofstra University, was attacked in her driveway on March 17, 2021, WABC reports. The attacker, who was wearing a hood, threw sulfuric acid on her face and then ran away. Ikram sustained severe injuries resulting in poor vision and facial scarring. She has reportedly undergone several surgeries.
On Feb. 9, Terrell Campbell was charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and unlawfully possessing noxious material, WABC reports. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.
WYNW reports Campbell was identified using a combination of information from the community and cooperation from tech companies. According to WABC, he was also linked to a red Nissan Altima spotted at the scene. Police say the tipster will get a $50,000 reward, but they have not released what information the tip contained.
Ikram had never heard of Campbell before he was arrested, according to WYNW. NBC New York reports he is an aspiring rapper who goes by the name Yung Based Prince.
District Attorney Anne Donnelly said, “We reviewed Campbell’s internet search history in the minutes following the 2021 attack. We found searches asking, ‘How do I remove sulfuric acid from my car’s fabric?… And two years after he ambushed Nafiah and left her screaming in pain on her front lawn, he actually produced and uploaded a music video to YouTube, boasting about throwing acid in a woman’s face, as unbelievable as it may seem,” WABC reports.
According to People, Donnelly said the song in question is called “Obsidian” and contains the lyrics, ”On the street in the night like a hit man assassin, trying to run up and have your face burned in acid.”
Authorities have not released a motive. Campbell remains held without bail. If convicted, WNYW reports he could face up to 25 years in prison.