MINNEAPOLIS, MN. (THECOUNT) — Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, is being held in the Hennepin County Jail after allegedly spraying an unknown liquid from a syringe onto Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall event Tuesday evening in Minneapolis, according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Police said Kazmierczak rushed toward Omar as she was addressing the audience and was immediately subdued by security personnel before officers took him into custody. He was later booked without bail on a charge of third-degree assault.
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Authorities confirmed Omar was not physically injured during the incident. Police emphasized the situation was quickly contained and credited security staff and responding officers for preventing further disruption.
The incident occurred as Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, was speaking critically about federal immigration enforcement policies. During her remarks, she called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanded the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
According to police, Kazmierczak had been seated in the front row before approaching the stage and spraying Omar with a substance using what officers described as a syringe. Security personnel restrained him within seconds and escorted him out of the room in handcuffs.
The Office of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement following the incident at her town hall in North Minneapolis.
“During her town hall, an agitator tried to attack the Congresswoman by spraying an unknown substance with a syringe. Security and the Minneapolis…
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) January 28, 2026
Event staff encouraged Omar to leave the venue to be medically evaluated due to the unknown nature of the substance, but she declined and chose to continue the event.
“We will continue,” Omar said from the stage. “These f***ing a**holes are not going to get away with it!”
Witnesses told reporters the substance emitted a strong odor, prompting some attendees to urge Omar to seek medical attention. Despite those concerns, she remained on stage and continued answering questions for nearly 30 minutes.
Ilhan Omar looked right at the dude to signal him to stand up and squirt her with a banana & rice smoothie. Staged pic.twitter.com/wItoJ3EvKH
— Redfish (@texaslunker) January 28, 2026
In the hours following the incident, social media commentary began circulating questioning the circumstances surrounding the confrontation. Law enforcement officials have not indicated any evidence supporting claims of staging and have stated the investigation remains ongoing.
Minneapolis police reiterated that the arrest was lawful and that charges were based on the suspect’s actions observed by officers and security personnel. Officials cautioned against speculation while investigators continue reviewing witness statements and evidence.
The confrontation comes amid heightened political tensions in Minneapolis following protests tied to federal immigration enforcement operations. Demonstrations escalated after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by two Customs and Border Protection agents over the weekend. That incident remains under federal investigation.
Thousands of federal immigration agents have been deployed to the Twin Cities area in recent weeks as part of enforcement efforts under the Trump administration. Federal officials have defended the operations as lawful and necessary for public safety, while Omar and other local politicians have publicly criticized the increased federal presence.
Omar is the second Democratic member of Congress to report a physical confrontation in recent days. Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida said he was assaulted during an unrelated event in Utah over the weekend. Police in Park City said a suspect unlawfully entered a private gathering and assaulted Frost and another individual before being arrested.
The U.S. Capitol Police have reported a continued rise in threats against members of Congress, noting thousands of investigations involving lawmakers, their families, and staff nationwide. Law enforcement officials say the trend highlights the importance of maintaining strong security measures at public events.
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