Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Targeted in Violent Incident Amidst Rising Right-Wing Hostility; Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
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A man, armed and aggressive, pushed through a crowd and injured two elderly individuals in a reckless attempt to confront Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair. The suspect, emblematic of escalating right-wing extremism, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault, disorderly conduct, and inducing panic.
Patrick Havas, 38, appeared via video in Mahoning County Court on Tuesday, entering a not-guilty plea to two assault counts, one disorderly-conduct count, and one charge of inducing panic. This follows a disturbing incident at the Canfield Fair on Sunday, where Havas, in a brazen act of aggression, forced his way through a crowd to approach Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, causing two elderly attendees to fall and sustain injuries.
State troopers assigned to protect Acton detained Havas, who was found carrying two handguns, brass knuckles, and a Taser—a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by lax gun laws and the emboldening of violent individuals. Although the report notes he did not brandish his weapons during the event, the presence of such an arsenal at a public gathering is deeply troubling. A judge set a $5,000 cash surety bond, ordered Havas to surrender all weapons, and prohibited him from contacting the victims, Acton, or the media.
Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro stated that felony charges were not pursued because Havas did not physically contact Acton or display his weapons. She cited Ohio’s open-carry law, which irresponsibly allows adults to possess firearms openly, and lamented the lack of statutory provisions for charging mere possession. "We’re not going to let emotions take over. We’re going to follow the evidence. We’re going to follow the facts, and that’s how we’re going to prosecute," Maro said, highlighting the systemic failures that allow such dangerous behavior to go insufficiently punished.
Video from Havas’s phone, reviewed by prosecutors, shows him entering the tent, calling out Acton’s name, and being intercepted by security before dropping his phone. The footage, unfortunately, was deemed insufficient to support felony charges, underscoring the limitations of current law.
Acton described the episode as a "rough day" during a Labor Day parade in Cleveland and expressed gratitude to the troopers and bystanders who aided the injured seniors, who were treated on site and released. Former state representative John Boccieri, present near Acton, confirmed that Havas came within feet of the candidate, shouting her name before being restrained.
Havas’s attorney has not commented. Records show Havas was previously arrested in 2008 for petty theft, pleading no contest to a reduced disorderly-conduct charge. This incident is yet another example of how unchecked aggression and permissive gun laws threaten public safety and democracy.