An armed man is reported to have lunged at the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor at the Canfield Fair, injuring several other people in the incident.
The incident under investigation happened today when Amy Acton was at a campaign event near Youngstown at the Canfield Fair, the state’s largest county fair and one of the largest in the country.
According to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, 38-year-old Patrick Havas has been arrested following the incident. The sheriff’s office said that Havas entered the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent at the Canfield Fairgrounds using his cell phone to record a visit to the fair by Acton, who was speaking to the crowd gathered at the tent.
As he was entering the tent, Havas is alleged to have started pushing his way through the crowd. Per the sheriff’s office, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers in Acton’s security detail confronted Havas, and two people were knocked to the ground. After his arrest, the sheriff’s office reported two handguns and a set of brass knuckles were recovered, and OSHP added he also had a Taser. Investigators said no weapons were ever brandished or removed from their holsters.
Acton was not injured. Witnesses said she stayed in the tent to help those who were injured.
Acton’s 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.”
“Let me be clear – The Mahoning County Democratic Party abhors political violence in all forms,” said chair Chris Anderson in a statement. “What happened at our tent today during today’s visit from Dr. Acton is reprehensible and should be condemned by leaders on all sides of the aisle.
Reaction poured in from around the state and from Democrats around the country.
Acton is running against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. His campaign communications director Connie Luck said in a statement: “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.”
Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement that he and First Lady Fran DeWine were grateful for the quick work of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement on the scene when a man tried to forcefully push himself toward Acton as she was speaking and injured other attendees at the Mahoning County Democrat booth.
“Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable,” DeWine stated. “This case is now in the hands of law enforcement and will be investigated thoroughly.”
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson also called the incident unacceptable.
“Having worked closely with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, I have the utmost faith in her executive protection detail and am grateful for their quick action,” Wilson said.
Detectives with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office are continuing their investigation and will be filing charges after consulting with the county prosecutor. Troopers with the state patrol will be investigating any potential threat assessment.
