MINNESOTA, U.S. – Minnesota Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar was attacked with an unknown liquid during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, after a man in the audience allegedly sprayed her using a syringe, according to local police.
Omar was not injured and chose to continue addressing the crowd despite calls from officials to end the event. Minneapolis police said the suspect was immediately arrested at the scene as forensic teams worked to identify the substance.
Witnesses said the liquid produced a strong, sour and acrid smell that spread through the front of the room.
One attendee, Jacquelynn Goessling, said she initially believed the man was one of Omar’s aides approaching the stage before realizing an attack had occurred.
In a statement shared on X, Omar said she was unharmed and undeterred.
“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 wrote.
Addressing attendees shortly after the incident, Omar urged calm and resilience, telling the room: “We will continue… we are Minnesota strong.”
Video footage from the scene shows security personnel shouting “make a hole” as they wrestled the suspect out of the packed basement venue.
As he was escorted out, the man could be heard accusing Omar of “pitting us against each other,” though police did not immediately clarify his motive.
Another attendee, Alfred Flowers Jr, told the BBC he was struck by Omar’s resolve.
“I respected her courage and strength to still stay and finish the town hall for the people,” he said.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the attack, stressing that intimidation and violence would not be tolerated.
“Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis. We can disagree without putting people at risk,” Frey said in a social media post.
The town hall, attended by roughly 100 people, was focused on rising concerns over federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Tensions have been high following the fatal shootings of two US citizens by immigration officers in recent weeks.
In January, immigration officer fatally shot Renee Good, while last week Alex Pretti was killed during a stop by border agents, incidents that have sparked protests and public outrage.
During her remarks, Omar called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be abolished and said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should “resign or face impeachment.”
Witnesses said the attack occurred shortly after those comments.
Despite security concerns, Omar insisted on finishing her address.
“We’re gonna keep talking. Just give me ten minutes. Please don’t let them have the show,” she told the audience.
Omar, elected to Congress in 2019, made history as the first Somali-American, first African-born American, and one of the first two Muslim women to serve in the US Congress.
The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Minnesota, with critics linking increased immigration enforcement to President Donald Trump’s public hostility toward Omar.
Trump, who has previously labeled her a “radical left lunatic,” said on Tuesday that his administration would seek to “de-escalate a little bit” in Minnesota following the latest shooting.
Police investigations into the attack are ongoing
