Prosecutors have charged a second man in the attack on an Elmont college student who was splashed in the face with sulfuric acid outside her home in 2021, a law enforcement source said.
It marks the second arrest in the case, following the indictment last month of Terrell Campbell, 29, of Brooklyn.
The identity of the second suspect was not immediately released. He is expected in court Tuesday.
Campbell pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault and misdemeanor charges of criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of noxious materials in connection with an attack on Nafiah Ikram on March 17, 2021.
Prosecutors said Campbell waited outside Ikram’s Elmont house as Ikram, a pre-med student at Hofstra University, arrived home from her job at a CVS pharmacy.
Ikram, now 26, said she did not know Campbell or see her attacker as a large man in a hoodie lurked behind her and splashed her face with acid, blinding her in one eye, permanently damaging her face and burning her esophagus and body. She has since undergone multiple surgeries.
Prosecutors did not give a motive for the attack when they charged Campbell and said they were investigating whether additional suspects were involved. They said Campbell was charged based on tips and surveillance footage that showed his 2015 red Nissan Altima near the house at the time of the attack.
The attacker was wearing gloves and holding a Styrofoam cup that later tested positive for 70% sulfuric acid, prosecutors said. Investigators later found Campbell’s search history, which included queries about how to get acid out of a car’s upholstery and searches for news about the attack, they said.
Prosecutors also found a 2023 rap song by Campbell, which included the lyrics: “On the street in the night like a hitman assassin, try to run up, have your face burn in acid.”
The case was nearing the statute of limitations to file charges before an arrest was made.
Ikram’s story garnered national attention, including from television host Padma Lakshmi, who asked her 2 million followers on social media for tips in the case.
Authorities said they planned to pay a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, but police did not disclose who offered the tips for the reward.
If convicted, Campbell faces up to 25 years in prison. He is scheduled to return to court April 16 for his next hearing while awaiting trial.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.