Suspect Identified and Arrested After Rep. Ilhan Omar Accosted at Minneapolis Town Hall
A 55‑year‑old man, identified by police as Anthony Kazmierczak, rushed the stage at a Minneapolis town hall and used a syringe to spray an unknown, reportedly vinegary‑smelling liquid at Rep. Ilhan Omar after she criticized DHS Secretary Kristi Noem; witnesses and photos show the syringe on the floor and attendees quickly restrained and handcuffed the suspect. Kazmierczak was taken into custody and booked on third‑degree assault as forensic teams investigated, while Omar—who continued the event—said she was "ok," would not be intimidated, and U.S. Capitol Police said they will work with partners to pursue the most serious charges possible.
📌 Key Facts
- At a Minneapolis town hall, while Rep. Ilhan Omar was speaking against ICE and calling for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment over the Alex Pretti killing, a man rushed the stage from the front row and sprayed her with an unknown liquid delivered via a syringe.
- Minneapolis police identified the suspect as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak; he was immediately handcuffed, removed from the venue and booked into county jail on third-degree assault.
- Photographs taken at the scene show a syringe with a light-brown liquid on the floor; forensic scientists responded to the scene to collect and test the substance, which remains of unknown composition, and an on-site journalist reported a strong, vinegarlike smell though no immediate physical reactions were reported.
- Video and audience audio captured the assailant rushing the stage, profanity and visible alarm in the room; witnesses said the sprayed substance 'smelled so bad' and urged Omar to get medically checked.
- Omar refused to leave the stage, continued the town hall for about 25 minutes, later posted that she is 'ok,' called the man a 'small agitator' and said she would not be intimidated.
- U.S. Capitol Police said they will work with partners to pursue 'the most serious charges possible' after the man decided to 'assault a Member of Congress,' and local and federal authorities are conducting follow-up investigations.
- News outlets placed the incident in the broader context of rising threats against members of Congress, noting Capitol Police handled roughly 14,000 threat-assessment cases in 2025 and referencing a recent separate assault on Rep. Maxwell Frost.
📰 Source Timeline (6)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 28, 2026
9:25 AM
Suspect identified after Rep. Ilhan Omar accosted at Minneapolis town hall
New information:
- Minneapolis Police publicly identified the suspect as 55‑year‑old Anthony Kazmierczak.
- Rep. Ilhan Omar posted that she is "ok" and described the man as a "small agitator" who would not intimidate her, thanking constituents for support.
- U.S. Capitol Police stated they will work with partners to pursue "the most serious charges possible" to deter similar attacks and said the man is in custody after deciding to "assault a Member of Congress."
4:53 AM
Man arrested after spraying unknown substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar at Minneapolis town hall
New information:
- Police identified the suspect as 55‑year‑old Anthony Kazmierczak and booked him into county jail on third‑degree assault.
- Minneapolis police say officers saw Kazmierczak use a syringe to spray an unknown liquid at Rep. Ilhan Omar; forensic scientists responded to the scene.
- An AP journalist on site reported a strong, vinegarlike smell and photos show a syringe with light‑brown liquid on the floor, though no immediate physical reactions were reported.
- Omar continued the event for about 25 minutes afterward, later saying, “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me,” and posting that she would not let “bullies win.”
- The piece situates the incident directly in the context of Omar’s on‑stage call to abolish ICE and force DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s resignation or impeachment, and notes Trump’s same‑day attacks on Omar in Iowa.
2:54 AM
Rep. Ilhan Omar rushed on stage and sprayed with liquid at town hall event
New information:
- Confirms the substance was delivered via a syringe, visible on the ground in photographs from the scene.
- Clarifies the sequence: Omar had just called for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment over the Alex Pretti killing when the assailant rushed the stage.
- Reports that Omar declined to leave, told aides 'We will continue,' and continued the town hall after being sprayed.
- Provides Omar’s post‑event social‑media statement that she is 'ok' and 'will not be intimidated,' and her 'Minnesota strong' framing.
- Notes Omar’s office says the assailant is now in custody and that the substance 'smelled bad,' but its composition is still unknown.
- Places the attack in the broader context of rising threats against members of Congress, with Capitol Police working through roughly 14,000 threat assessment cases in 2025 and referencing a separate recent assault on Rep. Maxwell Frost.
1:29 AM
Man charges at Rep. Ilhan Omar and sprays her with unknown substance during Minneapolis town hall
New information:
- CBS News video confirms the man rushed from the front row toward Rep. Ilhan Omar and sprayed her with an unknown substance during the town hall.
- The clip shows that he was immediately apprehended on site and that Omar chose to continue the event after the attack.
- Audience audio in the CBS segment captures profanity and visible alarm in the room as the incident unfolded.
1:26 AM
Man sprays Rep. Ilhan Omar with unknown substance at town hall
New information:
- Confirms the incident occurred while Omar was speaking against ICE and calling for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign.
- States that the male assailant rushed from the front row, sprayed her with an 'unknown liquid' while yelling, and was immediately handcuffed and removed.
- Quotes Omar’s refusal to leave the stage and her statement 'We will continue. This f***ing a**hole is not going to get away with it!'
- Includes witness description that the substance 'smells so bad' and that Omar was urged to get medically checked but initially declined.
- Notes that CBS News has requested further details from Omar’s office, U.S. Capitol Police and Minneapolis police, indicating formal law‑enforcement follow‑up is underway.