Democratic US Representative Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown liquid during a town hall meeting on Tuesday night, prompting a swift security response and the arrest of a suspect, authorities said. The incident occurred as Omar was sharply criticizing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and calling for its abolition amid heightened tensions over federal immigration enforcement in the city.

According to Minneapolis police, a man used a syringe to spray an unidentified substance toward Omar during the event. Video footage captured the moment as members of the audience reacted in shock, with one voice heard saying the congresswoman had been sprayed. The suspect, who was wearing a black jacket and holding the syringe, was quickly tackled, restrained, and taken into custody.

Police said the man was booked into the county jail on a charge of third-degree assault, while forensic scientists were called to the scene to examine the substance involved. Journalists present reported a strong, vinegar-like smell in the room following the incident. Authorities did not immediately disclose the nature of the liquid or the suspect’s identity.

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Despite the disruption, Omar continued the town hall after the man was removed by her security detail, telling attendees she would not be intimidated. Speaking to reporters afterward, she said she felt shaken but was not injured and would undergo precautionary medical screening. She later posted on social media that she was “ok” and thanked her constituents for rallying behind her.

The incident unfolded against the backdrop of growing political tension over immigration enforcement, particularly after federal agents this month fatally shot an intensive care nurse and mother of three in the region. Just moments before the attack, Omar had said that “ICE cannot be reformed” and had called for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Political leaders from across the spectrum condemned the attack. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the incident unacceptable and praised police for their quick response, while Republican Representative Nancy Mace said that no elected official should face physical violence, regardless of political disagreements. The episode comes amid a broader rise in threats and attacks against US lawmakers in recent years, raising concerns about public safety at political events.

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