US lawmaker Ilhan Omar sprayed with unknown substance at town hall event, act caught on cam
A video of the incident soon circulated on social media, showing a man approaching Omar while she was speaking at the podium before spraying a narrow stream of liquid at her from close range.
PTC News Desk: Somali-American Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unidentified substance during a town hall event she was hosting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday (local time).
A video of the incident soon circulated on social media, showing a man approaching Omar while she was speaking at the podium before spraying a narrow stream of liquid at her from close range. Most of the substance appeared to land on her clothing, and officials confirmed that she was not harmed.
The man reportedly shouted at Omar before security personnel quickly restrained and removed him from the venue.
Omar represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District in the US House of Representatives, which includes Minneapolis and nearby suburban areas.
After the incident, Omar responded defiantly on X, saying she was unharmed and would not be intimidated. She wrote that she refuses to let bullies deter her from her work and thanked her supporters, adding a message of resilience with “Minnesota strong.”
The episode comes amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis following the recent fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents during an attempted detention, an incident that has sparked protests across the city.
Authorities have not yet disclosed what the sprayed substance was or whether formal charges have been filed.
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