An armed individual identified as Patrick Havas lunged at Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair in Mahoning County, Ohio, on Sunday, injuring multiple people before being taken into custody, authorities confirmed.
Law enforcement officials said Havas was arrested with multiple weapons, including two guns, and charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct. Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene stated that two older volunteers were knocked to the ground during the confrontation. Acton and her husband, Eric, were not injured, according to her campaign.
The incident occurred as Acton visited the Mahoning County Democratic Party’s tent at the fair. Local officials condemned the violence and praised law enforcement’s response.
Immediate Response and Official Statements
Acton’s campaign issued a statement thanking law enforcement for their swift action. Addie Bullock, communications director for the Acton campaign, said:
“While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people. Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured. This kind of violence has no place in Ohio. Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another.”
Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Christopher Anderson also condemned the incident, stating:
“Let me be clear—The Mahoning County Democratic Party abhors political violence in all forms. What happened at our tent today during today’s visit from Dr. Acton is reprehensible and should be condemned by leaders on all sides of the aisle.”
Anderson confirmed that the suspect was armed with weapons and was arrested on-site. He expressed gratitude to local law enforcement and the Ohio State Highway Patrol for their response.
Republican Campaign Responds
The campaign of Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy issued a statement condemning the attack. Connie Luck, communications director for Ramaswamy’s campaign, said:
“Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence. What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics, and we hope that no one was hurt.”
Ramaswamy’s campaign had also been scheduled to attend the fair on Sunday.
Details of the Incident and Aftermath
According to witness accounts, Havas allegedly pushed through a crowd, knocking volunteers to the ground before lunging toward Acton. Wayne Penny Jr., a Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 59th State House District, described the scene to CBS News:
“He literally bull-rushed through the crowd, knocked our volunteers down, ran through, pushed and knocked the elderly gentleman over with Parkinson’s, and the gentleman hit his head and fell. The highway patrol jumped on him, or security detail, and arrested him on site.”
Penny stated that after Havas was detained, brass knuckles were found on his fingers and a firearm was visible.
Local law enforcement has not provided further details about the suspect’s motives or the full extent of the injuries sustained by the volunteers. The Canfield Police Department and Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office referred inquiries to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Broader Context and Political Climate
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in Ohio’s closely watched gubernatorial race. Acton, a former director of the Ohio Department of Health, is facing off against Ramaswamy, who has leveraged his national profile and alliance with former President Donald Trump to raise record funds for his campaign.
The attack has drawn comparisons to recent incidents of political violence in the United States. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin recently warned that public figures continue to face significant threats during campaign season. Speaking to Fox News, Mullin noted the prevalence of hostile rhetoric on social media and its potential to incite violence.
Acton’s campaign has framed the incident as an example of the dangers posed by escalating political rhetoric. In her statement, she emphasized her commitment to countering what she described as “chaos, hate, and vitriol.”
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have not disclosed additional details about Havas’s background, potential motives, or the full scope of the investigation. The Ohio State Highway Patrol, which provided security for Acton at the event, has not issued further statements. The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the suspect remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.
The Canfield Fair, one of Ohio’s largest annual events, resumed normal operations following the incident. Fair officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.