Brooklyn Man Indicted for Acid Attack After Allegedly Using Crime in Rap Song
Terrell Campbell, a 29-year-old flower deliveryman from Brooklyn, has been indicted on first-degree assault charges five years after allegedly throwing sulfuric acid on a woman in a shocking attack. The indictment, announced on Tuesday, follows a lengthy investigation that was reportedly aided by community members and digital evidence.
Details of the Alleged Attack
Prosecutors allege that Campbell targeted Nafiah Ikram in March 2021 as she was walking up her driveway in Elmont, Long Island. Ikram, a pre-med student at the time, had been helping her mother bring items into their home when Campbell allegedly approached and threw a liquid mixture containing 70 percent sulfuric acid at her.
The corrosive substance caused immediate and severe injuries. Ikram suffered second and third-degree burns to her face, arms, wrists, shoulders, right eye, and esophagus. The acid entered her throat and splashed her eye, causing her to collapse in excruciating pain on the pavement.
Long-Term Medical Consequences
The attack has had devastating and lasting effects on Ikram's health and wellbeing. She has undergone multiple surgeries, battled infections, and required skin grafts. To maintain her ability to eat and breathe normally, she must regularly undergo esophageal dilation procedures.
Additionally, Ikram now suffers from limited vision in one eye as a direct result of the acid exposure. Prosecutors emphasized that her recovery has been a long and painful journey filled with unanswered questions until now.
Rap Song References the Crime
Two years after the alleged attack, Campbell, an aspiring rapper who performs under the name YungBasedPrince, posted a song titled Obsidian to YouTube in 2023. The lyrics appear to directly reference the acid attack.
In the song, Campbell raps: 'I'm discreet in the night, like a hitman assassin. Try to run up and have your face burning, acid.'
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly condemned this action in a statement, saying Campbell 'brazenly used the attack as material to further his rap career, publishing a video with lyrics that neatly fit the narrative of the crime.'
Investigation and Evidence
The breakthrough in the case came through a combination of community assistance and digital forensics. Community members reportedly helped investigators identify Campbell, noting that he regularly drove a red Nissan seen in surveillance footage from the attack scene. The vehicle was registered under a family member's name due to Campbell having multiple violations on his license.
Cell phone evidence proved particularly damning. Prosecutors revealed that Campbell had searched for terms including:
- 'sulfuric acid remover'
- 'sulfuric acid on car seat'
- 'can you recover from sulfuric acid burn'
- 'Acid attack Franklin Square Long Island'
These searches, combined with the surveillance video allegedly showing him running up to Ikram, throwing the acid, and fleeing, formed a compelling case for prosecutors.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties
Campbell was arrested by the Nassau County Police Department on February 9. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
Ikram attended the press conference where Campbell's indictment was announced, marking a significant moment in her quest for justice. 'The past five years have not been easy on this young woman,' DA Donnelly stated. 'She survived the attack, but that was the beginning of a long, painful journey of recovery... Today, we were finally able to provide her with some answers.'
Campbell is expected to return to court on February 18 for further proceedings in this disturbing case that blends violent crime with attempts at musical notoriety.
