Ilhan Omar Attacked With Unknown Liquid at Minneapolis Town Hall, Suspect Charged

The Minnesota congresswoman was uninjured and continued speaking after the assault, vowing not to be intimidated.

Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar was attacked Tuesday night during a town hall event in north Minneapolis when a man sprayed her with an unknown liquid using a syringe, according to police.
Omar was not injured and refused to end the event, telling attendees:

“I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win.”

Authorities identified the suspect as Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, who has been charged with third-degree assault and remains in custody. Witnesses described the liquid as having a sour, chemical-like smell. Forensics teams were dispatched to analyze the substance.

Video from the scene shows security shouting “make a hole” as they wrestled Kazmierczak out of the room. As he was removed, he shouted that Omar was “pitting us against each other,” though it was unclear what he meant.
Despite pleas from officials to end the town hall, Omar insisted on continuing.

“We will continue… we are Minnesota strong,” she told the crowd of about 100 people. “Please don’t let them have the show.”

Attendees praised her resilience. Alfred Flowers Jr., who was present, said he “respected her courage and strength to still stay and finish the town hall for the people.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the attack in a statement:

“Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis. We can disagree without putting people at risk. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated in our city.”

Omar, a Democrat, made history in 2019 as the first Somali-American and one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali immigrant population in the United States.

The town hall was convened to discuss immigration enforcement after two recent fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal agents. Omar called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be abolished and urged Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment. The attack occurred shortly after those remarks.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions. President Donald Trump has frequently targeted Omar, calling her a “radical left lunatic” and, in a recent post, suggesting she should be jailed or deported. His administration’s immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota have sparked protests and public outcry.

Omar’s decision to continue speaking underscored her defiance in the face of hostility.

“We’re gonna keep talking. Just give me ten minutes,” she told the audience.