Photo Credit: Reuters
(Minneapolis, Minnesota) – A Minnesota man has been charged with assault after allegedly spraying Ilhan Omar with a liquid from a syringe during a town hall event in Minneapolis earlier this week, according to federal court documents made public Thursday.
Federal prosecutors say Anthony J. Kazmierczak, 55, approached Omar as she spoke at the event and squirted her with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water, staining her clothing and possibly reaching her face and right eye. An FBI agent detailed the incident in a sworn affidavit filed with the criminal complaint.
The incident occurred moments after Omar, a Democrat, called for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, citing criticism of federal immigration enforcement policies in Minnesota. According to investigators, Kazmierczak appeared to say, “You’re splitting Minnesotans apart,” immediately after spraying the congresswoman.
Security officers tackled Kazmierczak at the scene, and he was taken into custody and transported to a local jail. At least two other officials – State Sen. Bobby Joe Champion and Minneapolis City Council member LaTrisha Vetaw – later said they were also struck by the liquid.
Court documents state that an unnamed associate of Kazmierczak told federal agents that he had previously expressed violent sentiments toward Omar, including a remark made years earlier that “somebody should kill” her. Investigators also cited a political cartoon critical of Omar that Kazmierczak shared on social media in 2021, along with a history of posts expressing anger toward Democrats.
Kazmierczak has been charged under a federal statute covering assault or intimidation of federal officials. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, though that could increase to up to eight years if prosecutors establish physical contact under the statute. He is scheduled to make an initial court appearance Thursday afternoon and has not yet entered a plea.
Omar continued the town hall following the incident and later said she was feeling OK. “I don’t let bullies win,” she wrote on social media after the attack. Her office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said it is also reviewing the incident as part of an ongoing investigation.
