Minnesota Man Hinted at Arrest Before Allegedly Spraying Rep. Ilhan Omar with Apple cider Vinegar
A Minnesota man allegedly attacked Representative Ilhan Omar with a syringe filled with apple cider vinegar during a town hall meeting, after previously hinting to a neighbor that he “might get arrested” at the event.
Minneapolis – A 55-year-old man,identified as Anthony Kazmierczak,has been taken into custody following an incident Tuesday evening where he allegedly charged at Representative Ilhan Omar and sprayed her with a pungent liquid. Authorities later persistent the substance to be apple cider vinegar. The incident underscores rising concerns about the safety of public officials amid an increasingly polarized political climate.
Days before the chaotic town hall, Kazmierczak reportedly discussed the event with his neighbor, Brian Kelley. Kelley recalled a conversation where Kazmierczak asked him to watch his dog while he attended Omar’s town hall. “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 stated. Kelley initially dismissed the comment as inconsequential,believing Kazmierczak wouldn’t act on it.
Following the alleged assault, Omar briefly chased Kazmierczak before he was apprehended by security and removed from the Urban League Twin Cities facility. Minneapolis Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw, who was also struck by the liquid, described the odor as overwhelmingly strong, initially resembling apple cider vinegar before shifting to smell like ammonia, ultimately causing her to vomit. “It smelled like vinegar or ammonia,” Vetaw said, adding that the odor was “overwhelming.” “I got sick to my stomach,” she continued. “I went outside and threw up as, like, the smell was so strong.”
Kazmierczak has been booked into Hennepin County Jail on charges of third-degree assault. According to authorities, he has a history of health issues, including being “heavily medicated” due to a spinal injury sustained in a car wreck and a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Kelley also noted that Kazmierczak frequently shared pro-Trump content on Facebook and expressed dislike for Omar. “He doesn’t say much about stuff, but he’ll send articles and posts about different things,” Kelley explained.
Despite the attack,Omar refused medical attention and continued with her scheduled speaking engagement. She addressed the incident on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “I’m ok. I’m a survivor
Here’s a breakdown answering the “Why, Who, What, and How” questions, integrated into a more substantive news report format:
Why: The incident appears to stem from heightened political tensions and Kazmierczak’s expressed dislike for Representative Ilhan Omar, coupled with potential underlying health issues. Kazmierczak had reportedly shared pro-trump content and voiced negative opinions about omar.
Who: Anthony Kazmierczak, a 55-year-old Minnesota man, allegedly attacked Representative Ilhan Omar. Minneapolis council Member LaTrisha Vetaw was also affected by the substance. Brian Kelley, Kazmierczak’s neighbor, provided information about a pre-event warning.
What: Kazmierczak allegedly charged at Representative Omar during a town hall meeting and sprayed her with apple cider vinegar from a syringe. Vetaw was also sprayed with the substance.
How did it end?: Kazmierczak was apprehended by security at the Urban League Twin Cities facility and booked into Hennepin county Jail on charges of third-degree assault. Omar continued her speaking engagement after refusing medical attention. The incident is under examination to determine Kazmierczak’s full motives.
