Armed suspect arrested after charging at Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton at fair
A 38-year-old man was detained after lunging toward Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair, injuring several volunteers and bystanders.
An armed man was arrested Sunday after he rushed toward Democratic Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair in Mahoning County. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Patrick Havas of Canfield, pushed through the crowd while holding a cell phone, knocked two seniors on mobility scooters to the ground and struck several volunteers, according to Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene. Acton was not injured; her security team restrained the assailant until police arrived.
Police recovered two pistols and a pair of brass knuckles, all legally owned in Ohio. Havas is being held at the Mahoning County jail on two misdemeanor assault charges and one count of disorderly conduct.
Democratic State House candidate Wayne Penny Jr. described the incident as a “bull-rush” that knocked a volunteer with Parkinson’s disease to the ground, causing a head injury. Mahoning County Democratic Party chair Chris Anderson said additional volunteers were also knocked down.
Acton's campaign communications director Addie Bullock thanked law-enforcement for their swift response and expressed concern for the injured, stating that violence has no place in Ohio. Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s communications director Connie Luck called the episode “completely unacceptable.” Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a statement confirming Acton was unharmed and condemned any threat of violence at public events.