Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar was targeted during an event on Tuesday when a man sprayed an unknown liquid toward her using a syringe, according to Minneapolis police.
Omar was not hurt in the incident and chose to remain at the event, reports BBC.
Later, she addressed the attack on social media, writing: “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,” she later wrote on X.
A BBC journalist present at the gathering reported that the substance had a sharp, sour odor resembling a chemical product.
Authorities identified the suspect as 55-year-old Anthony James Kazmierczak, who has been charged with third-degree assault and remains in custody, according to the local sheriff’s office. Police said forensic teams were deployed immediately after the attack.
Despite the disruption, Omar told attendees that “we will continue… we are Minnesota strong”. One participant, Alfred Flowers Jr, told the BBC that he “respected her courage and strength to still stay and finish the town hall for the people”.
Footage from inside the venue shows security personnel shouting “make a hole” as they restrained and removed the man from the room. As he was escorted out, he accused Omar of “pitting us against each other”, though it was unclear what he meant.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the incident, saying in a social media post: “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 made history in 2019 as the first Somali-American, the first African-born American, and one of the first two Muslim women elected to the US Congress.
The town hall, attended by roughly 100 people in a basement venue in north Minneapolis, was part of Omar’s regular public meetings. The discussion was expected to focus on heightened immigration enforcement and community concerns following two recent fatal shootings involving immigration officials.
In January, US citizen Renee Good was fatally shot by an immigration officer. Last week, another US citizen, Alex Pretti, died after an encounter with border agents, sparking renewed protests and criticism.
During the event, Omar urged that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) be “abolished” and said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should “resign or face impeachment”. The attack occurred after these remarks.
Although officials encouraged her to end the gathering for safety reasons, Omar refused. Returning to the podium, she told the audience: “We’re gonna keep talking. Just give me ten minutes. Please don’t let them have the show. Please don’t let them have the show.”
Some residents believe the intensified immigration enforcement in Minnesota is linked to President Donald Trump’s public hostility toward Omar. He has previously referred to her as a “radical left lunatic” and “disgusting”.
On 18 January, Trump posted on Truth Social that Omar “should be in jail, or even a worse punishment, sent back to Somalia, considered one of the absolutely worst countries in the World. She could help to MAKE SOMALIA GREAT AGAIN!”
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali immigrant community in the United States. Following the second fatal shooting, Trump said on Tuesday that his administration was “going to de-escalate a little bit” in Minnesota.
