An armed man was arrested Sunday after lunging toward Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton during a campaign event at the Canfield Fair in Mahoning County, Ohio, injuring multiple attendees.
Law enforcement confirmed the suspect, 38-year-old Patrick Havas, was armed with two pistols, a taser, and brass knuckles when he forced his way through the crowd toward Acton. Authorities stated no weapons were brandished or removed from holsters during the confrontation. Havas was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of disorderly conduct, according to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office.
Acton, who is running to replace outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine, was unharmed and remained on-site to assist one of the injured individuals. Her campaign spokesperson, Addie Bullock, issued a statement condemning the violence and praising law enforcement’s response.
Incident Details and Response
The altercation occurred around 2:45 p.m. as Acton spoke at the Mahoning County Democratic Party’s tent. Witnesses, including Democratic candidate Wayne Penny Jr., described Havas as aggressively pushing through the crowd, knocking over two older adults—one of whom fell and hit their head. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, part of Acton’s security detail, subdued Havas before Canfield police arrested him.
Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene confirmed the recovery of two handguns and brass knuckles from Havas after his arrest. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported the incident is under investigation, with no further details released pending the probe.
Political Reactions and Broader Context
Acton’s campaign and Ohio’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine both condemned the violence. DeWine stated, “Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable.” Acton’s Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, also denounced the incident, emphasizing that candidates should be able to engage with voters without fear of harm.
The Mahoning County Democratic Party chair, Christopher Anderson, called the attack “reprehensible” and thanked law enforcement for their quick response. Ramaswamy was scheduled to attend the same fair later Sunday but was not present during the incident.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Havas remains in Mahoning County Jail with no immediate information available regarding legal representation. Authorities have not disclosed whether additional charges or evidence will be pursued. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
This incident marks one of several recent episodes of political violence in the U.S. ahead of the November gubernatorial election, where Acton and Ramaswamy are in a closely watched race. Polls indicate a tight contest between the two candidates as campaigning enters its final phase.