The Department of Justice has filed federal criminal charges against the man who lunged at Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis.
Anthony Kazmierczak was swiftly detained and booked by Minnesota authorities with third-degree assault after Tuesday’s incident.
A recently unsealed federal criminal complaint alleges Kazmierczak “forcibly assaulted, opposed, impeded, intimidated an officer and employee of the United States” while she was engaged in official duties.
The FBI’s affidavit alleges Kazmierczak sprayed Omar with a syringe filled with apple cider vinegar, which “stained her clothes and may have reached her face and right eye.” The affidavit also included a picture of the syringe that Kamierczak was accused of wielding.
Kazmierczak allegedly had a history of threatening statements against Omar, including telling a close associate at one point that “somebody should kill that b****,” according to the FBI.
The agent who filed the brief affidavit also referenced a political cartoon about Omar that Kazmierczak posted on Facebook in 2021.
Moments after Omar called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s resignation, Kamierczak appeared to say “she’s not resigning” and “you’re splitting Minnesotans apart” after he rose up from his seat and lunged towards her with the syringe, according to the FBI.
In footage from Omar’s remarks to constituents after two Minneapolis residents were fatally shot by federal officers supporting the Trump administration’s expansive mass deportation campaign, Kazmierczak can be seen jolting from his seat near the front of the room and rushing forwards.
Omar, the first Somali-American to serve in Congress, appears briefly shaken but raises a fist in defense before returning to the microphone.
“We’re gonna keep talking,” she said. “Just give me 10 minutes. Please don’t let them have the show.”
This is a developing story
