CANFIELD, Ohio — An armed individual lunged toward Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair on Sunday afternoon, injuring multiple people before security and police stopped him, according to her campaign and local officials. Acton was not hurt.
The incident happened around 2:45 p.m. at the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent, local news and officials said. The suspect pushed through the crowd toward Acton, knocking two older adults to the ground, Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene told WFMJ. Acton’s security team intercepted the man before he reached her and helped Canfield Fair police take him into custody.
Two firearms were found on the suspect, according to WFMJ and party officials. A witness, former U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, said the man was carrying a handgun. The suspect was also holding a phone or camera, officials on scene said. No reliable reporting from AP, CNN, NBC News, the Columbus Dispatch, or WFMJ described a knife.
The suspect, identified by WFMJ as Patrick Havas, was taken to the Mahoning County Jail. Sheriff Greene said he is expected to face two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct. Charges had not been formally filed in the latest available reports Sunday evening. Under Ohio law, a person remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Motive has not been released.
Acton campaign communications director Addie Bullock said in a statement: “While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people. Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured. 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.”
Mahoning County Democratic Party chair Chris Anderson said an individual was arrested at the party tent “with multiple weapons, after knocking volunteers to the ground.” He called the episode reprehensible and said it should be condemned across party lines. The party referred further questions to law enforcement because the matter is under investigation.
Boccieri, who said he witnessed the event, stated that security restrained the man before he could reach Acton and that no one was seriously injured. The full extent of injuries to the two adults who were knocked down had not been detailed publicly by Sunday evening. The campaign said it was praying for those hurt.
Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign condemned the incident. Communications director Connie Luck said: “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.” Ohio Republican Sen. John Husted also called the attempted attack disturbing and said there is no place for that behavior.
Acton, a physician and former Ohio Department of Health director, is the Democratic nominee for governor. She is in a closely watched November race against Ramaswamy to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. The Canfield Fair is a major annual event in Mahoning County near Youngstown.
This is a developing story. Local police referred inquiries to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office. The Ohio State Highway Patrol, which provided security for Acton, had not issued a detailed public statement in early evening reports. Additional information on injuries, exact charges, and any court appearance is expected from law enforcement.
