Nafiah Ikram's personal message one year after acid attack outside family's home on Long Island
ELMONT, N.Y. -- It has been one year since an acid attack left a young woman severely burned on Long Island, and the suspect is still on the loose.
Nafiah Ikram and her family renewed calls for justice Thursday and expressed frustration with law enforcement who have yet to solve the case.
Between surgeries, breathing and eating difficulties and pain, the 22-year-old has continued pre-med studies.
"It's been very physically painful, mentally exhausting," Ikram said. "I was having nightmares up until this morning."
She courageously stepped before cameras, still clueless who attacked her and why.
"The more that I think about it, the more I just come up with nothing, and I'm trying to just focus on school and healing," Ikram said.
Last March, a hooded person came out of the shadows and doused Ikram with acid in the driveway of her family's Elmont home,
The impact was devastating. Her face and throat were burned. The liquid was so caustic, it etched her driveway.
A year later, Nassau Police and the FBI continue to offer a $40,000 reward for information, seeking the driver of a red 2013-15 Nissan.
The family can't believe with today's technology, there's been no arrest.
"Anybody who knows anything, it's your duty as a human being to come forward. Not for my daughter only, but also to make sure that these people who did this to us do not feel that they can get off with it and hurt another human being," said Sherina Mohamed, the victim's mother.
"The police department, they really did not do their job. And FBI, hopefully, they will do a better job, what Nassau County Police didn't," said Sheikh Ikram, the victim's father.
The Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder released the following statement --
"The Nassau County Police continue an intense and comprehensive investigation into the heinous act that took place one year ago when our victim Nafiah Ikram was assaulted with a hazardous substance. Numerous interagency resources have been assigned and continue to collaborate to bring the person responsible to justice. Nassau County Crime Stoppers and the FBI have both equally increased their reward to a total of $40,000 for tips that could lead to an arrest of the person(s) responsible. We have continued to work with the Ikram family and urge anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS."
"I am asking for the perpetrator who committed this heinous act to turn yourself in," Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages said.
Nafiah Ikram, who says she never thought of herself as beautiful before the attack, now has a message she hopes will help others.
"Believe in yourself, don't ever give up and, most importantly, learn to find beauty within yourself," she said.
Nafiah Ikram has undergone too many surgeries to list and has years ahead of tissue expansion and skin grafting. Her vision in one eye is still questionable.
She and her parents look at the positive. They are grateful she is alive.
To submit an anonymous tip to the FBI in the case, visit tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-225-5325 (1-800-CALL-FBI).