Armed Man Arrested After Lunging Toward Ohio Governor Candidate Amy Acton at Canfield Fair

CANFIELD, Ohio — An armed man was arrested Sunday after forcing his way through a crowd toward Democratic Ohio gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton during a campaign appearance at the Canfield Fair, authorities said.

Acton was not injured, but several people were knocked down during the confrontation. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Patrick M. Havas of Canfield, was found carrying two pistols and a Taser and was taken into custody by members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's executive protection unit.

The incident is the subject of an ongoing investigation and authorities have not announced a motive.

 

 

 

Suspect Forced His Way Through Crowd

The incident happened at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday at a tent operated by the Mahoning County Democratic Party, where Acton was speaking with attendees.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Havas forced his way through the crowd in an attempt to reach Acton, knocking multiple fairgoers to the ground. Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene told CBS News that Havas was holding a cellphone as he moved aggressively through the crowd. Two older people using mobility scooters were reportedly knocked over.

Troopers assigned to Acton's security detail intervened and detained Havas before he reached the candidate.

Authorities later discovered that he was carrying two pistols and a Taser. The Mahoning County Sheriff's Office said two handguns and brass knuckles were recovered after the arrest, while authorities stressed that the weapons were not drawn or brandished during the incident.

Havas was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of assault, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Authorities said the investigation by the highway patrol and Mahoning County Sheriff's Office remains underway.

Acton Escaped Injury

Acton's campaign said the candidate and her husband, Eric Acton, were grateful for the rapid response from law enforcement and were praying for those who were injured.

“This kind of violence has no place in Ohio,” campaign communications director Addie Bullock said in a statement.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, also condemned the incident. Acton's Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, likewise said political candidates should be able to meet voters without facing threats or violence.

The bipartisan reaction underscores the seriousness of the episode as Ohio's gubernatorial campaign enters its final stretch.

Who Is Amy Acton?

Acton, 60, is a physician and former director of the Ohio Department of Health. She became nationally known during the COVID-19 pandemic for her role in Ohio's public-health response.

She won the Democratic nomination for governor in May and is now challenging Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy in the November general election. The race is attracting national attention as Democrats seek to compete in a state that has shifted strongly toward Republicans in recent presidential elections.

The attack occurred during one of the most visible periods of the campaign, when candidates traditionally make appearances at fairs, parades and other public events to reach voters directly.

No Evidence Yet of a Political Motive

Despite the suspect's apparent attempt to move toward a political candidate while armed, authorities have not publicly established a motive.

That distinction is important. News reports have described the episode as an attack or attempted attack because Havas allegedly forced his way toward Acton, but investigators have not publicly said why he did so. The Ohio State Highway Patrol and Mahoning County Sheriff's Office are continuing to investigate.

There is also no indication that Havas fired a weapon or that any firearm was removed from its holster during the confrontation.

A Broader Concern Over Political Violence

The incident comes amid renewed concern about security for American political candidates and public officials.

The Associated Press noted that the episode is part of a broader pattern of political violence and threats in the United States over the past decade. Security has become an increasingly important consideration for candidates appearing at large public gatherings, where campaign events can attract hundreds or thousands of people.

For Acton's campaign, Sunday's incident also highlights the risks of traditional retail politics: candidates standing among voters, volunteers and supporters rather than behind controlled barriers.

Acton nevertheless appeared at a Labor Day parade in Cleveland the following day, continuing her public campaign schedule.

What the Viral Graphic Gets Right — and What It Leaves Out

The uploaded graphic accurately highlights the central development: an armed man carrying two pistols and a Taser was arrested after pushing toward Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair.

However, the fuller picture is more precise than the graphic suggests:

• Acton was not injured.
• The suspect was identified as 38-year-old Patrick M. Havas.
• Authorities say he forced his way through a crowd and knocked multiple people over.
• He was carrying two pistols and a Taser; other law-enforcement reporting says brass knuckles were also recovered.
• The weapons were not brandished, according to the sheriff's office.
• Havas was charged with two counts of assault and disorderly conduct.
• A motive has not been established publicly.
• The incident remains under investigation.

The episode is likely to intensify discussion about candidate security as Ohio's closely watched governor's race moves toward November.