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An armed man was arrested Sunday after authorities said he pushed through a crowd and lunged toward Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for governor of Ohio, during a campaign appearance at the Canfield Fair, injuring multiple people.
Acton was not injured, according to her campaign and multiple news reports. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Canfield resident Patrick Havas, was arrested after the incident at the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent. Authorities said he was carrying two handguns and brass knuckles, though investigators said he did not remove the firearms from their holsters or brandish them.
The incident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. as Acton was speaking with people at the Democratic Party tent, according to Mahoning County officials. Sheriff’s spokesperson Gerry Ricciutti said Havas entered the tent with a cellphone apparently set up to record the event before pushing his way through the crowd.
Acton’s security detail, which included Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, confronted Havas. During the confrontation, two people were knocked to the ground, authorities said.
Havas remained in custody Sunday. Local reports said he faces assault and disorderly conduct charges, with additional charges expected following consultation with the Mahoning County prosecutor.
The extent of the injuries was not immediately clear. Acton, a physician and former Ohio health director, remained at the fair following the incident and was photographed attending to one of the injured people, according to reports.
“Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured,” campaign spokesperson Addie Bullock said.
“This kind of violence has no place in Ohio,” Bullock added.
Political leaders condemn incident
The incident drew condemnation from officials across party lines.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said he and his wife spoke with Acton and expressed relief that she was not injured.
“Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable,” DeWine said, adding that the case was in the hands of law enforcement.
Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, who previously served as lieutenant governor alongside DeWine and Acton, said he and his wife were “disturbed by the attempted attack” and praised law enforcement for its response.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson also condemned what he described as attempted political violence, saying Acton’s protection detail acted quickly.
Acton’s Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, was also scheduled to appear at the Canfield Fair Sunday. His campaign condemned the incident.
“Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence,” Ramaswamy spokesperson Connie Luck said. “What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics.”
Acton-Ramaswamy race
Acton served as Ohio’s health director during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic under DeWine before leaving the position in 2021.
She won the Democratic nomination for governor in May and is challenging Ramaswamy, the Republican nominee and former presidential candidate, in the November election to succeed DeWine, who is barred by term limits from seeking another term.
The incident comes as the Ohio governor’s race has drawn national attention and as concerns over threats and violence surrounding political events remain a national issue.
The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate the incident.
