The man accused of spraying Congresswoman Ilhan Omar with an unknown liquid at a Minnesota town hall warned his neighbor that he ‘might get arrested’ at the event.
Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, was arrested for third-degree assault Tuesday after he allegedly used a syringe to squirt a strong, vinegarlike smelling liquid at Omar.
He attacked the congresswoman at the podium as she called for the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency.
But it has now emerged that the Minneapolis native hinted to the attack in a text sent to his neighbor Brian Kelley ahead of the event.
Kelley told the New York Post that Kazmierczak said he was ‘going to this Omar thing’ asked him to watch his dog.
‘He said, “I might get arrested”,’ Kelley told the outlet. ‘I figured it was nonsense. He wasn’t going to do anything stupid.’
Kelley agreed to walk the dog but said Kazmierczak ended up cancelling the arrangement, claiming he ‘got it covered’.
Kazmierczak is President Donald Trump supporter who ‘doesn’t like Omar’, but was not someone who he ever imagined would assault someone, Kelley explained.
The alleged assailant also has Parkinson’s Disease and was in a car crash a few years ago that damaged his spine, Kelley said. He has been ‘heavily medicated’ and not able to much physically ever since.
Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, asked a neighbor to watch his dog ahead of Ilhan Omar’s town hall in Minneapolis and warned he ‘might get arrested’ at the event, the neighbor claimed
Kazmierczak was arrested for third-degree assault Tuesday after he allegedly used a syringe to squirt a strong, vinegarlike smelling liquid at Omar
Kazmierczak is subdued after attempting to attack Rep. Ilhan Omar
Kazmierczak allegedly tackled Omar to the ground Tuesday during a town hall in Minneapolis, where tensions over federal immigration enforcement have come to a head after agents fatally shot two protesters this month.
Omar had just called for the abolishment of ICE and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment seconds beforehand.
Calls are mounting on Capitol Hill for Noem to step down after the shooting deaths in Minneapolis of two people who protested deportations. Few Republicans have risen to her defense.
‘ICE cannot be reformed,’ Omar said, seconds before the attack. ‘DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or face impeachment.’
Kazmierczak ran toward Omar and sprayed a light brown mystery substance at her from a syringe. Witnesses said there was a strong, vinegarlike smell after he pushed on the syringe.
He then told Omar to resign and claimed she’s ‘tearing Minnesota apart’ before being dragged away by security guards.
The audience cheered as Kazmierczak was pinned down and his arms were tied behind his back.
Omar appeared ready to confront Kazmierczak before he was dragged away as she muttered: ‘F**king a**hole.’
The protester – later identified as 55-year-old Anthony J. Kazmierczak – ran toward Omar and sprayed a mystery substance at her from a syringe
Omar appeared ready to confront Kazmierczak before he was dragged away as she mutters: ‘F**king a**hole.’
Omar continued speaking for about 25 more minutes after the man was ushered out by security, saying she would not be intimidated
Police immediately arrested him and booked him at the county jail for third-degree assault. Forensic scientists responded to the scene.
Omar continued speaking for about 25 more minutes after the man was ushered out by security, saying she would not be intimidated.
Walking out afterward, Omar said she felt a little flustered but was not hurt. She was going to be screened by a medical team.
She later posted on the social platform 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.’
Trump has since commented on the incident, calling Omar ‘a fraud’ and suggesting she faked the syringe spray attack against her at a Minneapolis town hall.
Trump’s comments came after Omar faced off with the angry protester while speaking about the recent Border Patrol shooting of Alex Pretti during a North Minneapolis town hall.
‘No. I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud. I really don’t think about that. She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her,’ the president told ABC News when he asked if he’d watched the clip.
He reiterated that he hadn’t seen the video and added ‘I hope I don’t have to bother.’
