An armed man charged toward Democratic Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton during a campaign event at the Canfield Fair on Sunday, injuring multiple people before being arrested, officials said. The suspect, Patrick Havas, 38, was booked on disorderly conduct and assault charges after law enforcement intervened.
The attack occurred around 2:30 p.m. Sunday as Acton, a former Ohio public health director, spoke at the Mahoning County Democratic Party’s tent at the fair in Canfield. A man identified as Havas, who lives in Canfield, approached with a cellphone and began pushing through a crowd, according to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers stationed to protect Acton confronted him, and two people were knocked to the ground during the encounter, officials said.
The Attack and Immediate Aftermath
Havas was arrested with two handguns, a Taser, and brass knuckles, though investigators confirmed he did not brandish or remove the weapons from their holsters. The Ohio State Highway Patrol stated that no weapons were ever brandished or even removed from their holsters,
contradicting initial reports from some outlets that described multiple weapons
in his possession. Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Anderson, whose group hosted Acton, said the suspect forced his way through a crowd, knocking over multiple members of the audience as he moved toward Acton.
Acton and her husband, Eric, were unharmed, but several volunteers and attendees were injured. The campaign released a statement expressing gratitude for law enforcement’s swift and decisive action,
adding, This kind of violence has no place in Ohio.
Addie Bullock, Acton’s communications director, reiterated the sentiment, saying, Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another.
The incident unfolded amid a high-stakes gubernatorial race between Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who has outspent her in fundraising. Ramaswamy’s campaign condemned the attack, with spokesperson Connie Luck stating, Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence. What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics.
Reactions and Political Condemnation
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, called the attack “unacceptable” and emphasized that violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable.
He noted that Acton and her husband had spoken with him after the incident and expressed relief that she was unharmed. DeWine’s office referred questions to law enforcement, which is conducting an investigation.
Sen. Jon Husted, a Republican and former lieutenant governor, posted on X that he and his wife were disturbed by the attempted attack,
adding, There is no place for this kind of behavior, and it must never be tolerated.
Mahoning County Democratic Party Chair Christopher Anderson called the event “reprehensible” and urged leaders on all sides of the aisle
to condemn the violence.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the attack, though investigators are examining his background and potential connections to political tensions.
Context and Unresolved Questions
Acton, a former director of the Ohio Department of Health, gained national attention during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic for her role in the state’s response. Her tenure was marked by controversial decisions, including school closures and business shutdowns, which drew both praise and criticism. This incident marks the latest in a series of political violence incidents in the U.S., raising concerns about safety at campaign events.
While the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol have provided conflicting details about the weapons recovered, both agree that Havas was taken into custody without resistance. The investigation remains ongoing, with officials withholding further details pending a full review.
The attack has intensified scrutiny of security protocols for political candidates, particularly in a race as competitive as Ohio’s. With the November election approaching, the incident underscores the precarious balance between public engagement and safety. As the investigation continues, one question looms: Will this event reshape the dynamics of the race, or will it be seen as an isolated act of violence in an already polarized political climate?
