NEW YORK — Nearly two years after an acid attack left the face of a Long Island college student disfigured, the Nassau County Police Department has reaffirmed its commitment to finding the man responsible, authorities said Wednesday.
As part of their commitment, Nassau Police are now offering $50,000, an increase from the original $20,000 reward, for information that could lead to the arrest of the offender responsible.
The victim, Nafiah Ikram, and her parents joined county officials for the announcement Wednesday. The events that were captured by a surveillance camera occurred in March 2021.
The footage shows a hooded man running towards Ikram outside his Elmont home. The unidentified man approached her in the driveway and sprayed her with a bottle of acid.
Since the incident, Ikram has undergone multiple surgeries to correct the damage caused by the attack. According to the young woman, however, all that remains is to alleviate the emotional upheaval caused by the attack.
“I’m afraid to go out, to be alone,” the victim said. “I’m paranoid someone is going to break into my house to attack me and it’s because this person is still on the loose.”
Authorities believe the man in question is a member of the community who, at the time of the incident, was believed to be behind the wheel of a red 2013 or 2015 Nissan vehicle.
“The suspect is presumed to have fled in that vehicle, we have a description of the suspect, a tall person about 6 feet, two inches,” according to officials.
The victim’s mother appealed to the public for help, but she also spoke to the conscience of the attacker, hoping he would listen.
“We beg you please, you don’t want this for yourself, your mother, your sister, your friends or anyone in your family,” the mother said.
The police request that any information that could lead to the arrest of the assailant be shared with them by calling 1-800-244-Tips.
