The orange-colored substance sprayed at Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall on Tuesday, Jan. 27 has now been identified, according to investigators.
A law enforcement source familiar with the case told CNN that forensic testing indicated the liquid inside the syringe carried by a man later identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak was likely apple cider vinegar. CBS News also reported the same finding, citing investigators.
Omar’s office told CNN that preliminary reports likewise suggested she had been sprayed with apple cider vinegar.
Authorities have not released further details publicly.
What Happened at the Town Hall
Before the disruption, Omar, 43, was speaking with constituents about unrest in Minneapolis and reiterated her calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with her demand that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem resign or face impeachment.
According to C-SPAN footage, shortly after Omar mentioned Noem, Kazmierczak—who was seated in the front row—stood up, moved toward her, and sprayed her shirt with liquid from a syringe. Several people in the room reacted immediately, with one person warning the crowd, “He sprayed something,” as heard in the video.
Security quickly intervened, tackling Kazmierczak to the ground and escorting him out. He was later booked into the Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of third-degree assault, police told authorities.
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Omar Continued Speaking After the Disruption
After the incident, Omar’s security and staff offered her the option to end the town hall early, but she chose to continue.
“We will continue. These f—ing assholes are not going to get away with it,” she said.
When she resumed, Omar told attendees: “Here’s the reality that people like this ugly man don’t understand: We are Minnesota strong, and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us.”
Later, Omar addressed the incident in a post on X: “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work.”
“I don’t let bullies win,” she added. “Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”
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Trump Reacts, Omar Responds
When asked about the attack shortly after it occurred, President Donald Trump expressed little sympathy for Omar, whom he has repeatedly criticized publicly.
Trump said he hadn’t seen video of the incident but told ABC News’ Rachel Scott, “I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud. She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”
The attack came one day after Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday, Jan. 26 that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Congress were “looking at” Omar, claiming she had “left Somalia with NOTHING, and is now reportedly worth more than 44 Million Dollars. Time will tell all.”
Omar responded on X: “Sorry, Trump, your support is collapsing and you’re panicking,” adding, “Right on cue, you’re deflecting from your failures with lies and conspiracy theories about me. Years of ‘investigations’ have found nothing. Get your goons out of Minnesota.”
