Shock and confusion unfolded in Minneapolis on Tuesday night after Representative Ilhan Omar was attacked with an unknown substance during a town hall event, prompting renewed concerns about safety at public political gatherings.

The incident occurred at a community center in north Minneapolis, where around 100 people had gathered for a discussion focused on immigration enforcement and recent events in the state. Omar, who has represented Minnesota in Congress since 2019 and is the first Somali-American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, has been an outspoken voice on immigration policy and has recently criticized federal enforcement actions in Minnesota.

Partway through the event, an audience member approached the stage. Witnesses initially believed he might be staff or someone seeking assistance, but instead he produced a syringe and sprayed a clear liquid toward Omar, according to Minneapolis police. A strong odor quickly spread through the room, described by attendees present, as sour and similar to a chemical product.

Security personnel immediately intervened, tackling the man and escorting him out as the crowd reacted with alarm. Police later confirmed Omar was not injured, and forensic teams began examining the scene and collecting samples of the substance. Authorities have not yet determined what the liquid was.

The suspect has been identified as Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, who has been charged with third-degree assault and is being held in custody, according to the local sheriff’s office.

Despite the disruption, Omar continued speaking after the attack. Later, she addressed the incident publicly, saying she was unharmed and would not be intimidated. In a post on X, she wrote that she was a survivor and would not allow what she described as a small agitator to interfere with her work.

The attack comes amid heightened tensions in Minnesota surrounding immigration enforcement operations. Omar has been a leading critic of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and has called for the agency’s abolition, arguing that its tactics have come under increased scrutiny. Her town hall was held against the backdrop of two recent fatal shootings of U.S. citizens during immigration-related encounters, which have sparked anger and concern in the community.

President Donald Trump, whose administration has pursued an immigration crackdown, commented Tuesday that the federal government would “de-escalate a little bit” following the second fatal shooting. Omar, a Democrat, has frequently opposed Trump’s immigration agenda, and the two have repeatedly clashed publicly over policy and rhetoric. Trump has also singled Omar out in personal criticism in the past, including remarks made shortly before Tuesday’s attack.

Local leaders condemned the assault, emphasizing that violence and intimidation have no place in civic life. The incident has also reignited debate about how to protect elected officials while maintaining open access to constituents at public forums.

As investigators work to determine the nature of the substance used and the motives behind the assault, the event has left Minneapolis grappling with yet another unsettling episode during an already volatile period of political and community tension.