The man accused of attacking Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., with a substance during a town hall in Minneapolis last week was ordered on Tuesday to be detained on probable cause.
Anthony Kazmierczak, 56, is facing one count of forcibly assaulting and interfering with the congresswoman while she was engaged in official duties in connection with the Jan. 27 incident.
On Tuesday, Judge David T. Schultz ruled that Kazmierczak must remain in custody after determining that the defendant likely committed a felony. Kazmierczak was held in federal custody pending Tuesday’s detention hearing.
An attorney for Kazmierczak told NBC News that if circumstances change, “we may go back and move for reconsideration.”
Federal prosecutors say that Kazmierczak was seen on video allegedly approaching Omar as she addressed constituents and ejecting a liquid, later determined by Omar’s office to be apple cider vinegar, from a syringe on her. The liquid “stained her clothes and may have reached her face and right eye,” according to the criminal affidavit.
Kazmierczak had previously threatened Omar and told a close associate years ago that, “Somebody should kill that b—-,” in reference to Omar, according to the affidavit.
Omar had just called for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem when she was attacked, echoing the sentiments of many Democrats since federal immigration officers fatally shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, which is within Omar’s congressional district.
Kazmierczak, who attended the town hall, allegedly stood up and approached Omar, appearing to say “She’s not resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart” after he sprayed her, according to the FBI.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-MN, was apparently sprayed with a substance by man at town hall. After a brief delay, she continued her remarks.
The attack on Omar seemingly escalated a back-and-forth between the congresswoman and President Donald Trump, where she blamed the attack on his frequent verbal attacks against her. Omar and Trump had been exchanging comments since an ICE officer fatally shot Good in Minneapolis.
Trump said without providing evidence that she “probably had herself sprayed, knowing her,” ABC News reported.