Man charged in Ilhan Omar attack has lengthy criminal history
A 55-year-old man, identified as Anthony Kazmierczak, was arrested after rushing the podium at rep. Ilhan Omar’s Minneapolis town hall and spraying her with a light-brown liquid from a syringe that police later identified as apple cider vinegar. Kazmierczak was taken into custody on suspicion of third-degree assault and booked into the Hennepin County Jail. His criminal history includes a 1989 felony auto-theft arrest, two DUIs, and multiple traffic citations.
The attack occurred during a tense local climate following recent fatal shootings tied to immigration enforcement. Omar, who was speaking about abolishing ICE and criticizing DHS leadership at the event, wiped her face and continued speaking for about 20 minutes before being escorted offstage; her office said she did not require medical attention. Kazmierczak’s brother told reporters the suspect and their mother are “right-wing extremists” and that Kazmierczak has long expressed hostility toward Somalis. The incident is under investigation,and it comes amid a broader rise in threats and investigations targeting members of Congress.
Man charged in Ilhan Omar attack has lengthy criminal history, including DUI arrests
The man arrested on Tuesday for spraying Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) with apple cider vinegar from a syringe during a down hall meeting in Minneapolis has a rap sheet, though it does not consist of violent crimes.
Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, was arrested in 1989 for felony auto theft, has been arrested twice for driving under the influence, and has numerous traffic citations.
In Minneapolis, tensions are sky-high after the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during immigration enforcement operations this month.
During a town hall on Tuesday night, as part of Omar’s monthly forums with constituents, during which she called for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the firing or impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Kazmierczak rushed the podium with a syringe filled with light brown liquid later identified as apple cider vinegar, according to police.
Kazmierczak was quickly apprehended and arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault. He was booked into the Hennepin County Jail following the attack.
After the incident, Kazmierczak’s brother told the Independent that both Kazmierczak and his mother are “right-wing extremists.”
Kazmierczak’s brother said Omar, who is Somali-American, has come up in conversation before, and Kazmierczak has been outspoken about his distaste for Somalis for almost 20 years.
After the attack, Omar reportedly wiped her face and continued speaking for 20 minutes.
“We will continue. These f***ing a**holes are not going to get away with it,” Omar said.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, security personnel escorted Omar from the stage. Her office reported that she did not require medical attention and would continue her scheduled events.
President Donald Trump dismissed the attack and said Omar “probably had herself sprayed.”
The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Omar over her alleged involvement in the social services fraud in Minnesota and whether she benefited from it.
The attack on Omar resonates with the upward trend in attacks on members of Congress.
According to recent Capitol Police data, threat investigations surged to 14,938 in 2025 — a massive increase from 9,474 in 2024.
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This total is over 35% higher than the previous record set in 2021, marking a dangerous new peak for threats against members of Congress.
The investigation into the attack is still underway.
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