- A 38-year-old suspect was arrested on charges of assault and disorderly conduct.
- Multiple people were reportedly injured after being knocked to the ground, but none seriously.
- Political figures from both parties condemned the attack.
An armed man was arrested after lunging at Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton and knocking over fairgoers at the Canfield Fair in Mahoning County.
Midday on Sept. 6, Patrick M. Havas, 38, of Canfield, forced his way through a crowd at the Mahoning County Democratic Party’s tent toward Acton, knocking over multiple people along the way, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said in a statement. The Patrol’s executive protection unit quickly detained him.
Acton was not injured.
Those in attendance said Havas pulled out his phone while Acton was giving her speech, as if to record himself asking Acton a question. Havas pushed through the crowd, knocking down at least two older adults.
After detaining Havas, law enforcement found two pistols and a taser in his possession, according to an Ohio State Highway Patrol statement. The Canfield Fair allows firearms except inside marked buildings.
Havas was taken to the Mahoning County Jail, where he was booked on charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of assault. Investigators say no weapons were ever brandished or removed from their holsters, according to the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office.
After Havas was detained, Acton jumped in to help the injured volunteers, those who observed the incident said.
Campbell City Council member Mary Janek said Acton was poised and in control. Janek overheard Acton telling those gathered: “We are sick of the hatred.”
“It’s always good to have a doctor in the house, right?” said Campbell City Schools Board Member Tony Kelly, who is Janek’s husband.
Acton, a Democrat, is running in a tight race with Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to replace Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
"Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured," said Addie Bullock, communications director for the Acton campaign. “This kind of violence has no place in Ohio. Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another.”
Ramaswamy’s campaign condemned the incident.
"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, and we hope that no one was hurt," campaign spokesperson Connie Luck said.
What happened?
Former U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, a Democratic candidate for the Ohio House who witnessed the incident, said Havas pushed his way into the tent, where Acton was giving her speech.
"I saw a large individual come in and start knocking people around," Boccieri said. "He knocked down quite a few people in front of her. One was a very elderly gentleman, probably in his 80s."
After law enforcement detained Havas, Kelly circled around to see if he could help. Kelly said he heard Havas “playing the victim as if he has every right to be there and ask questions and push people over.”
Havas previously shared an address with Andrew Havas, a volunteer who resigned from U.S. Sen. Jon Husted’s campaign in July after a prior conviction came to light. NBC News reported Andrew Havas served jail time following accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor.
DeWine, other Ohio leaders respond
DeWine spoke with Acton, who served as Ohio health director during the COVID-19 pandemic, after the incident. “She said to share with Ohioans that she is OK,” DeWine said in a statement.
“Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable,” DeWine said.
Husted, a Republican, and former Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, each responded with concern for Acton and thanked law enforcement for their quick action.
“Tina and I are disturbed by the attempted attack on Amy Acton today at the Canfield Fair,” Husted said. “There is no place for this kind of behavior, and it must never be tolerated.”
Brown said in a statement: “Connie and I are grateful that Dr. Acton and all involved are safe, and we thank the Ohio law enforcement officers for their quick and professional response.”
(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)