Police increase reward for Elmont acid assailant to $50,000

I just want them to be found because nobody should ever, ever have to experience this.”

Nafiah Ikram, acid attack victim

Nafiah Ikram — the 23 year-old Elmont victim of an acid attack — has one message for her unidentified assaulter: "they are going to get their karma one day."

Ikram was assaulted on March 17, 2021 in her driveway at roughly 8:15 p.m. when she and her mom returned to their home on Arlington Avenue in Elmont after shopping. Once her mother was inside the house, the unidentified male suspect came up from behind Ikram and threw acid in her face.

The attacker is reportedly 6-foot-2 and wore a black hooded sweatshirt with gloves that night. He fled in a red Nissan Altima model years 2013 to 2015 with fog lights, according to the Nassau County Police Department. The case remains unsolved.

With the help of the FBI, the NCPD announced they have increased the reward to $50,000 to anyone who comes forward with information that could lead to a conviction of this individual.

Police commissioner Patrick Ryder said he and his team believe the suspect is someone within the Elmont community.

“Speaking to Nafiah and having that opportunity to realize how brave she is and the courage that she shows all of us is what drives us every single day — we're going to come out with everything that we have,” Ryder said. “Somebody knows something in the community.”

County Executive Bruce Blakeman said this type of crime is “unacceptable” and commended the police department for their tireless efforts to solve this case.

“We will do everything we can to bring the individual to justice who committed this crime against this beautiful and courageous woman,” Blakeman said.

Ikram spoke about her recovery process since the attack and how she continues to suffer to this day. Scars cover her face and she said she has undergone eight surgeries so far.

She thanked her family, the police department and Nassau County community for their continuous support and fight to catch her assaulter. She not only wants justice for herself, but hopes to prevent others from getting hurt.

“I'm not able to lift things, not able to make my own bed because of these procedures, couldn’t even shower on my own, couldn't wash my own hair — can you imagine not being able to brush your teeth for an entire week,” Ikram said. “I just want them to be found because nobody should ever, ever have to experience this.”