State, federal prosecutors charge man accused of spraying Ilhan Omar with vinegar

Federal prosecutors say that a 55-year-old man sprayed U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar with vinegar as she spoke on Jan. 27 at a town hall meeting in Minneapolis, and that he had said in the past that he wished someone would kill her.

Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, of Minneapolis was charged on Jan. 29 in U.S. District Court with forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding and intimidating an officer and employee of the United States when he targeted Omar during the public gathering at Urban League headquarters on the North Side.

The criminal complaint noted that the liquid in the syringe was water and apple cider vinegar. Minneapolis police body camera video captured Kazmierczak saying “I squirted vinegar” at the time of his arrest that night.

Later on Jan. 29, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office charged Kazmierczak with threats of violence, a felony, and misdemeanor assault.

County Attorney Mary Moriarty explained in a brief video that her office decided to file its own case because “the trust in our community in the federal government in keeping politics out of public safety has been eroded by their actions. ... Threats of violence is a felony level offense, and a successful prosecution will result in a state-level conviction that is not subject to presidential pardon now or in the future. We will not play politics with safety in our community.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is first in line prosecuting Kazmierczak, a spokesman for Moriarty said.

According to the state charges, Omar reported to police that Kazmierczak said to her something to the effect of ‘you should [expletive] die.’"

Kazmierczak has been transferred from the Hennepin County jail, where he had been held since the night of the incident and turned over to federal authorities.

During his first appearance in federal District Court in Minneapolis, Kazmierczak was appointed a federal defender and ordered to remain in custody by U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster.

Jean Brandl, his attorney, said Kazmierczak was between medications at the time of the alleged offense and expressed concern that he has been unable to receive his meds that he takes for Parkinson’s disease. Judge Foster ordered the U.S. Marshal’s Service to ensure Kazmierczak sees a nurse upon his booking in Sherburne County Jail.

Appearing in a red pullover sweatshirt, Kazmierczak’s right hand visibly shook as he swore in before his appearance. He did not address the court beyond telling the judge that he understood the U.S. government’s allegations.

The complaint included two examples that prosecutors say illustrate Kazmierczak’s feelings toward Omar.

Also, Kazmierczak posted on Facebook an AlphaNews political cartoon depicting Omar supporting the “Defund Police” movement while federal money was being spent to provide her with security.

That same Facebook page in September had as its profile photo an image of President Donald Trump hugging Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The account also includes other photos expressing support for politically conservative causes and one from a gun range with a armed Muslim as the target.

The federal complaint outlines what basically was shown on the event’s livestream video. Kazmierczak stood up quickly from his chair, approached Omar while shouting and sprayed her with the syringe. Two security officers rushed to Omar’s aid and tackled Kazmierczak.

Omar said afterward that the liquid got on her clothes, “and may have reached her face and right eye,” the complaint read.

Court records in Minnesota dating back 20 years show that show that Kazmierczak has had two drunken-driving convictions, another conviction in 1989 for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, two divorces and two filings for bankruptcy.

In an interview with ABC News later in the evening after the incident, Trump said he hadn’t seen video of the attack and accused Omar of staging it.

“I think she’s a fraud,” Trump said. He then added, without offering evidence, “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”

Trump has frequently criticized Omar and has stepped up verbal attacks on her in recent months as he turned his focus on Minneapolis in connection with cases of fraud involving social service programs and the federal immigration crackdown.

When she was interrupted on Jan. 27, Omar was calling for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the resignation of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Nate Lassen, who was seated in the second row during Omar’s speech, said a man sitting in front of him stood up about 5 feet from Omar and raised a syringe. He said the man made a forward motion with his arm.

Omar continued speaking and taking questions for more than 20 minutes and did not address the incident until after leaving the podium.

She later told reporters as she walked away, “As I said, I’ve survived war, and I’m definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think they can throw at me because I’m built that way.”

Omar’s office said in a statement that she was OK.

The town hall had heavy security, with squad cars stationed outside and metal detectors at the entrance. A police crime lab vehicle was seen parked outside the building after the event.