An armed man knocked two people to the ground while pushing through a crowd toward Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton at a county fair Sunday, carrying two handguns and brass knuckles before law enforcement intervened.

Weapons Recovered After Fair Incident

Patrick Havas, 38, forced his way through attendees at the Canfield Fair in Mahoning County as Acton spoke at the Democrat booth. The suspect knocked two people down during the incident before Ohio State Highway Patrol officers, who were providing security for the candidate, took him into custody. Authorities later discovered Havas was carrying two handguns and brass knuckles, though investigators confirmed no weapons were brandished or removed from their holsters during the confrontation.

The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office booked Havas on charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of assault. Acton remained unharmed throughout the incident, which occurred near her hometown of Youngstown, approximately 60 miles from Cleveland. The two individuals knocked down during the altercation sustained injuries, though the extent of their harm was not immediately disclosed.

Bipartisan Condemnation Of Political Violence

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who previously appointed Acton as state health director in 2019, spoke with the candidate after the incident and confirmed her safety. DeWine issued a statement condemning violence at political events as “always unacceptable” and pledged a thorough investigation. Acton’s Republican opponent in the November gubernatorial race, Vivek Ramaswamy, also released a statement through his communications director expressing concern and emphasizing that candidates should meet voters without fear of threats or violence.

Addie Bullock, Acton’s campaign spokesperson, released a statement thanking law enforcement for their swift response and expressing prayers for those injured. The campaign characterized the incident as part of broader political tensions, stating that such violence has no place in Ohio politics. Ramaswamy was also scheduled to appear at the Canfield Fair later Sunday afternoon, though his campaign did not confirm whether that event proceeded as planned.

Security Questions Emerge

The incident raises concerns about candidate safety during the 2026 election cycle as gubernatorial campaigns intensify ahead of November voting. Law enforcement presence at political events has increased following various security incidents nationwide, though Sunday’s confrontation demonstrates ongoing challenges in protecting candidates at public gatherings. The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office continues investigating the incident, with the case now in the hands of state and local authorities who will determine whether additional charges are warranted beyond the initial disorderly conduct and assault counts.