A man was arrested Tuesday after spraying an unknown substance on Democratic U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis, abruptly interrupting a public forum focused on immigration enforcement and recent fatal shootings linked to deportation protests.
The incident unfolded before a crowd of about 100 people as Omar criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and called for the resignation or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Video from the scene showed the man being tackled by security as audience members reacted with alarm.
Police said officers observed the suspect using a syringe to spray a liquid toward Omar, prompting an immediate arrest.
The man, identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, was booked into the county jail on a charge of third-degree assault.
Forensic scientists were dispatched to analyze the substance, which emitted a strong, vinegarlike odor, according to journalists present.
No one in the audience showed immediate physical reactions.
Omar continued speaking for roughly 25 minutes after the disruption and later said she was shaken but unharmed.
She was scheduled to be medically screened as a precaution.
The attack occurred amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis following the fatal shootings of two protesters during federal immigration enforcement actions earlier this month.
Just seconds before the incident, Omar said, “ICE cannot be reformed,” drawing applause from attendees.
City and state officials described the episode as deeply unsettling, noting that traces of the substance also contacted local and state lawmakers in attendance.
Minneapolis police said the device recovered appeared to contain a light-brown liquid, though its composition has not been confirmed.
The White House did not immediately comment.
President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Omar in recent months, continued his attacks on Tuesday, questioning her loyalty and background during a public appearance.
Elected officials from both parties condemned the assault, emphasizing that political disagreements do not justify violence.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz warned that inflammatory rhetoric has contributed to a climate of fear.
Republican Representative Nancy Mace said no lawmaker should face physical attacks.
The incident follows other recent assaults and threats against members of Congress, reflecting a broader rise in political violence.
U.S. Capitol Police reported investigating 14,938 threat-related cases in 2025, a sharp increase from the previous year.
Authorities said they are pursuing the most serious charges possible to deter future attacks.