Authorities have revealed the previously unknown substance sprayed at US Representative Ilhan Omar during a town hall event in Minneapolis earlier this week.
Omar was speaking about immigration enforcement – specifically the recent heavy-handed actions of ICE – amid growing unrest in the city. Mid-speech, she was interrupted when a man from the audience approached her and sprayed liquid across Omar’s chest using a large syringe.
The perpetrator was immediately tackled to the ground by security before being taken into custody and booked on suspicion of third-degree assault.
Video footage quickly spread online as individuals speculated what exactly it was that the man had sprayed. Witnesses at the town hall event described smelling a strong, vinegar-like odour in the air after the incident, while there were obvious concerns raised that the liquid could be a harmful chemical.
A hazmat crew was reportedly called to the scene to examine the liquid, with authorities having since ruled out any biohazard or substance that might post a health risk.
Police have now revealed that the man sprayed apple cider vinegar on Omar.
Despite the shock of what had happened, Omar returned to the stage to finish her address, declining medical treatment. The audience responded with applause.
As for the man responsible, identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, authorities have confirmed that he will remain in custody while the investigation continues. Police are said to currently be reviewing his motivations and assessing whether or not further charges will be brought.
Needless to say, the incident itself has drawn attention to a discussion regarding confrontations and potential attacks involving elected officials. Political tensions across the U.S. have straddled a knife’s edge of late, with the divide between Republicans and Democrats seemingly wider than ever.
Rep. Ilhan Omar blamed Trump’s rhetoric for the attack, stating: “Every time the president of the United States has chosen to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community that I represent, my death threats skyrocket.”
She claimed she wouldn’t be such a target “if Donald Trump wasn’t in office and if he wasn’t so obsessed with me”.
“I do believe that the facts of the situation are that I wouldn’t be where I am at today, having to pay for security, having the government to think about providing me security, if Donald Trump wasn’t in office,” she said.
Trump, meanwhile, was in a typically bullish mood when asked for his thoughts on the incident, claiming that it was “probably staged”.
What did you make of the incident in question? Do you think elected officials need more protection when speaking at events? Let us know in the comments.