Reward for information in acid attack on Long Island college student raised to $50,000
MINEOLA, N.Y. -- The reward has been upped in the horrifying case of a man who threw acid in the face of a Hofstra University student in 2021.
The Nassau County Police Department on Wednesday increased it to $50,000 and revealed new details about their progress in tracking down the attacker.
Hailed for her strength, 23-year-old Nafiah Ikram took the podium at Nassau police headquarters with a plea for someone to help police catch her attacker.
"I don't even want to know why at this point. I just want them to be found because nobody should ever, ever, ever have to experience this," Ikram said.
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It has been nearly two years since the then-college student was disfigured.
Increasing rewards that went unclaimed have now been upped again. Police are asking in Arabic and English for the person who can help crack this case to man up with information.
"We believe that the subject is from the community. Somebody knows something in the community. Somebody knows something. We're offering you up $50,000," Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.
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The attack happened on March 17, 2021. Ikram was returning to her Arlington Avenue home in Elmont when a 6-foot-2 man with a thin build threw acid in her face. He then drove off in a red Nissan Altima, believed to be a 2013-15 model.
Police say they're making progress via search warrants, interviews, and electronic data.
"We know you are out there and we are coming for you," Nassau County Legislator John Giuffre said.
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Meanwhile, Ikram says she lives in fear because her attacker is free, amid an endless series of corrective surgeries.
"I'm still suffering to this day. Look, I had that surgery to release the scarring and I still can't open my mouth. I have scars all over my face and they are still not even halfway done," she said. "I'm still disabled. I can't see out of my right side right now. I still need someone to drive me everywhere."
"When I see my daughter suffer, I am surprised that we are all alive at this moment. Please, have a heart. It's a group of people. We know somebody knows something," Sherina Mohammed said.
Despite her anguish, Ikram said she gains strength from her role as the voice of victims of a crime that happens all over the world.
"To the person that did this, I know that you are going to get your karma one day," Ikram said.
She believes if the perpetrator is not caught, he will think he got away with it and strike again.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Nassau County Police Department at 1-800-244-TIPS.