Authorities Apprehend Alleged Mastermind Behind 2021 Acid Attack on Long Island Student

Law enforcement officials have taken 31-year-old Shaquille Coke into custody, marking the second arrest in the brutal 2021 acid attack that left college student Nafiah Ikram with life-altering injuries. Prosecutors allege that Coke orchestrated the assault as an act of retaliation after Ikram rejected his romantic advances following two dates. Investigators claim that Coke acted as the getaway driver for his associate, 29-year-old Terrell Campbell, who was previously arrested in February. Campbell, an aspiring rapper, allegedly carried out the physical attack after referencing the crime in his own music lyrics.

The incident, which occurred in March 2021, involved a hooded assailant throwing sulfuric acid into Ikram’s face, resulting in permanent scarring and significant vision loss. Evidence presented by the prosecution includes text messages between the two suspects suggesting a premeditated plan and derogatory comments made by Coke regarding the victim's appearance following the attack. Despite the arrest occurring shortly after the standard statute of limitations, officials maintain that legal exceptions apply to this case. Coke has entered a plea of not guilty to charges including first-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon. He currently faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison if convicted.