Suspect Charged After Syringe Attack on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
A man has been arrested and charged following a disturbing incident where Representative Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown substance during a town hall event in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The attack occurred on Tuesday as the congresswoman was addressing supporters about ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Details of the Assault
According to eyewitness reports and footage recorded by C-Span, the suspect approached the stage wielding a syringe containing a light-brown liquid. Despite being sprayed with what witnesses described as a foul-smelling substance, Representative Omar remained on stage and defiantly addressed the crowd.
"These f***ing ***holes are not going to get away with it," Omar declared in the immediate aftermath of the attack. "Here's the reality that people like this ugly man don't understand. We are Minnesota strong, and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us. I learned at a young age that you don't give into threats."
Suspect Identified and Charged
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office has identified the suspect as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, who has been charged with third-degree assault. Photographs taken by the Associated Press showed remnants of the light-brown liquid inside the syringe used during the attack.
Kazmierczak was listed on the county jail roster following his arrest, with authorities continuing their investigation into the nature of the substance sprayed at the congresswoman.
Background of the Attacker
Details about Kazmierczak are emerging following Tuesday's incident. A neighbor described him as a "pretty conservative guy" who "doesn't like Omar." Brian Kelly told The New York Post that Kazmierczak had asked him to watch his dog while attending the event, mentioning he might get arrested.
"He said, 'I'm going to this Omar thing.' I'm like, Omar what? He said 'This town hall thing.' And he said, 'I might get arrested,'" Kelley recounted. "I figured it was nonsense. He wasn't going to do anything stupid."
Kelly claimed Kazmierczak is "heavily medicated" due to a car accident that affected his spine nine years ago and that he suffers from Parkinson's disease.
Political and Social Media Activity
Kazmierczak has a history of sharing political content on social media under the name 'Andy', including criticism of the Biden administration. Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk last September, his Facebook profile picture was changed to an image of Donald Trump at a Turning Point USA event and later to Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk.
Other social media activity includes:
- A 2022 post blaming Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison for 'rampant crime' in the state
- Photos showing Kazmierczak posing with his dog with an Israeli flag added to one image
- Posts appearing to support the war in Ukraine
- Self-description as an "empty nester looking to enjoy retirement and 2nd half of my adventure"
His employment history lists 22 years as a 'phone company business consultant'. Court records seen by CNN reveal two previous DUI convictions, and he has been married and divorced twice.
Political Context of the Attack
The attack occurred moments after Representative Omar had delivered strong criticism of ICE activities in Minneapolis. "ICE cannot be reformed," she stated. "It cannot be rehabilitated. We must abolish ICE for good, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or face impeachment."
Hours before the incident, former President Donald Trump had criticized Omar during a speech to supporters in Iowa, saying immigrants should only be allowed into the country if they love the United States. "They have to be proud, not like Ilhan Omar," he said as the crowd erupted into boos. "She comes from a country that's a disaster. So probably, it's considered, I think - it's not even a country."
Omar's History as a Political Target
Born in Somalia, Ilhan Omar moved to the United States in 1995 after securing asylum amid the Somali Civil War. Despite evidence to the contrary, Trump has long suggested the congresswoman came to the U.S. illegally, making her a frequent target for MAGA Republicans.
The former president has falsely claimed that she married her own brother to gain citizenship and often references her during speeches about Somali immigration. Minnesota has become a fixation for some conservative activists, with both Trump administration officials and social media users sharing conspiracy theories about alleged fraud cases involving Somali immigrants in the state.
The investigation into Tuesday's attack continues as authorities work to determine the exact nature of the substance sprayed at Representative Omar and whether additional charges will be filed against Kazmierczak.
