Feds Charge Man Accused Of Spraying Rep. Ilhan Omar At Minneapolis Town Hall

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Minneapolis man has been charged in federal court after authorities say he sprayed U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar with liquid from a syringe during a town hall meeting Tuesday night.

Authorities said Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, is accused of attacking Omar while she was performing her official duties, a violation of federal law.

The affidavit states that Kazmierczak — at the Minneapolis town hall — was seated in the audience when he stood up and quickly approached Omar at the front of the room while holding a syringe. As he moved toward her, he sprayed her with an initially unidentified liquid.

Omar told investigators the liquid stained her clothing and may have reached her face and right eye.

Security officers rushed to her aid and brought Kazmierczak to the floor.

Omar was calling for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the resignation of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem when the attack happened, as shown in footage published by C-SPAN.

Minneapolis police officers arrested and booked Kazmierczak at the Hennepin County Jail on a third-degree assault charge. Federal authorities later filed the criminal complaint.

A Hazmat specialist with the North Metro Chemical Assessment Team field-tested the liquid from the syringe and determined it was water and apple cider vinegar, the affidavit states. The substance was sent to a state laboratory for further analysis.

An MPD detective sergeant who reviewed body-worn camera footage noted that Kazmierczak made a spontaneous statement during his arrest, saying, "I squirted vinegar," according to the affidavit.

The complaint also references videos of the incident posted to social media.

One video obtained by The Washington Post allegedly shows Kazmierczak rapidly approaching Omar immediately after she called on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign.

After spraying the liquid, Kazmierczak appears to turn and walk away while saying, "She’s not resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart," according to the affidavit.

Federal investigators also cited prior statements attributed to Kazmierczak. An associate interviewed by the FBI said that several years ago, Kazmierczak made a comment about Omar over the phone, saying, "Somebody should kill that b****," according to the affidavit.