An armed man was arrested Sunday after allegedly forcing his way through a crowd toward Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during a campaign appearance at the Canfield Fair, knocking multiple people to the ground in the process.
Acton was not injured in the incident, which unfolded at the Mahoning County Democratic Party’s tent as she met with voters. Several other people were hurt, according to her campaign and local officials.
Authorities identified the suspect as 38-year-old Patrick Havas of Canfield.
Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene said Havas aggressively pushed through the crowd in Acton’s direction while holding up a cellphone. Authorities said he knocked over two older attendees as he moved forward.
Both individuals were using mobility scooters, according to CBS/AP reporting. One was knocked to the ground during the confrontation.
Wayne Penny Jr., a Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 59th State House District who witnessed the incident, said Havas “bull-rushed” through the crowd and knocked down volunteers before pushing over an older man with Parkinson’s disease.
Acton’s security detail intervened before Havas could reach the candidate and restrained him until additional law enforcement officers arrived. The Washington Post reported that Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers assigned to Acton’s security intercepted Havas.
Authorities subsequently discovered that Havas was carrying two pistols along with another weapon. The Washington Post, citing state police, reported two pistols and a Taser, while other reports citing the Mahoning County sheriff said brass knuckles were also recovered.
The firearms were not drawn or brandished during the confrontation, according to authorities.
Havas was taken to the Mahoning County Jail and faces assault and disorderly conduct charges. CBS/AP reported two misdemeanor assault counts and one disorderly conduct count, though some initial local reporting characterized at least one assault allegation differently as authorities continued processing the case.
No evidence had been publicly released Sunday night establishing that Havas intended to use the weapons against Acton, and officials had not announced a motive. Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Anderson urged against speculation while the investigation remains active.
Anderson said several volunteers were knocked down during the incident.
“The Mahoning County Democratic Party abhors political violence in all forms,” Anderson said, describing what occurred at the party’s tent as unacceptable and thanking law enforcement for its response.
Acton’s campaign also issued a statement shortly after the arrest.
“While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people,” communications director Addie Bullock said.
Bullock said Acton and her husband, Eric, were grateful for the response from law enforcement and were praying for those injured.
“This kind of violence has no place in Ohio,” Bullock added.
Acton reportedly remained at the fair following the incident and was not physically harmed. UPI reported that the physician helped treat one of the injured people at the scene.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said he and first lady Fran DeWine spoke with Acton afterward.
“Fran and I are thankful Dr. Amy Acton was not hurt, and we send our thoughts to those who were injured,” DeWine said, adding that Acton asked him to tell Ohio residents that she was OK.
“Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable,” DeWine added, saying the matter was now in law enforcement’s hands and would be investigated.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign also condemned the incident.
“Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence,” communications director Connie Luck said.
“What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics, and we hope that no one was hurt.”
Acton, Ohio’s former health director, is the Democratic nominee seeking to succeed DeWine, who cannot run again because of term limits, per CBS News.
She will face Ramaswamy, the Republican nominee and former 2024 presidential candidate, in November’s gubernatorial election.
The incident remains under investigation, with authorities so far focusing the criminal allegations on Havas’ conduct while forcing his way through the crowd and the injuries allegedly caused to attendees.
