Man sprays U.S. Lawmaker Ilhan Omar with foul smelling Liquid at town hall event (video)

Police arrested a man who sprayed Democratic U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar with a foul-smelling liquid during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday as she criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota.

Omar was not injured. A security guard immediately grabbed the man and took him to the ground, according to a Reuters witness and video from the event.

Police said the suspect was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault.

During her remarks, Omar was condemning ICE and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, calling for Noem’s resignation following the recent shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis amid an immigration enforcement surge.

“ICE cannot be reformed, it cannot be rehabilitated, we must abolish ICE for good, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or face impeachment,” Omar said, drawing applause.

Moments later, a man seated in the front row stepped toward her and sprayed her with the contents of what police described as a syringe, telling Omar, “You must resign.”

Omar stepped toward him with her hand raised before he was subdued.

After a brief pause, she continued the town hall despite associates urging her to seek medical attention. She said she only needed a napkin. Her office later confirmed she was OK.

Forensic scientists gathered evidence at the scene, police said.

Witnesses say the liquid smelled of ammonia and caused minor throat irritation.

“I learned at a young age, you don’t give in to threats,” Omar told the audience after refusing to suspend the event. “You look them in the face and you stand strong.”

Omar has frequently been targeted by President Donald Trump in public remarks and on social media, including comments aimed at her Somali nationality.