A Brooklyn man has been arrested and charged in connection with a brutal acid attack that left a Long Island woman permanently scarred, nearly five years after the incident. Terrell Campbell, 29, an aspiring rapper, was taken into custody on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to charges including assault and possession of a noxious substance.
The attack occurred in March 2021, when Nafiah Ikram, then a 21-year-old Hofstra University student, was doused with sulfuric acid while walking up her driveway in Elmont, New York. The assault caused second- and third-degree burns to her face, arms, and chest, and significantly impaired her vision.
Prosecutors allege that Campbell’s own music and online activity ultimately led to his arrest. According to court documents, Campbell penned a song titled “Obsidian” that contains lyrics referencing throwing acid on someone. The lyrics, described as “sickening, cruel and brazen” by Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, include the line: “On the street in the night like a hitman assassin, try to run up, have your face burning in acid.” The song had fewer than 100 views on YouTube at the time of his arrest.
Beyond the lyrics, investigators discovered a series of concerning online searches conducted by Campbell shortly after the attack. These searches included queries for “sulfuric acid remover,” “sulfuric acid on car seat,” and “Can you recover from a sulfuric acid attack?” He also searched for information related to whether FaceTime can be tracked and the historical legal principle of “an eye for an eye” under Hammurabi’s law.
The investigation was aided by new information provided by the community and cooperation from tech companies, according to prosecutors. Police identified a red Nissan Altima seen fleeing the scene of the attack, which was later traced back to Campbell.
During his arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Brian Rodriguez detailed the horrific injuries sustained by Ikram, stating that her skin appeared to be “falling off” after the attack. Ikram, now 26, has undergone numerous surgeries and continues to grapple with the physical and emotional trauma of the incident. She previously described the experience as “worse than death.”
“Her life has not been and never will be the same since that night,” Rodriguez told the court. “This is one of the most vicious and barbaric acts this county has ever seen.”
Campbell was ordered held without bail. His attorney, Greg Zak, urged the court not to confuse allegations with proof, highlighting Campbell’s lack of criminal history, his employment as a flower delivery driver, and his college degree. However, the judge remained unmoved.
Ikram, who was present in court with her family and attorneys, declined to comment to reporters. She has previously spoken publicly about her determination to rebuild her life and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor, despite the challenges she faces.
The case remained unsolved for nearly five years, leading Ikram to publicly express frustration with the pace of the investigation. Prosecutors emphasized that Campbell appeared to grow complacent over time, believing he had evaded capture, which ultimately led him to boast about the attack in his music.
“Campbell thought he got away with it… he bragged on the internet for everyone to see. He could not have been more wrong,” Donnelly stated.
Campbell’s father was also present at the arraignment and reportedly flipped off reporters as he left the courthouse. Campbell is due back in court on , where he faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
The investigation remains ongoing, and prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and authorities are exploring whether Campbell was acting alone or at the behest of others.
