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.
There should be a standard safety protocol for any public figure going into crowded public spaces. That there isn’t one for campaigning politicians by now, after the multiple attempts on political candidates’ lives, is just laziness.
It’s my understanding that the left tried to present a bill like this, only it failed to garner adequate support when it excluded MAGA or MAGA-like candidates!
Hopefully the law will throw the book at this crazy person….the law needs to crack down on protester disruption at public events and especially churches. 30 days hath September, April, June, and PEACE OFFENDERS! These disruptive people need mandatory JAIL TIME instead of just pay a fine and go. This crazy person was armed so pile on the charges like throwing mud at a wall.
Accountability by some measure should be a deterrent.
no, if you ever see the real story I have no idea.
He did nothing wrong aside of being a jerk/rudeness.
no weapons were used, he was let go.
lefty garbage making a big deal out of nothing.
You want to see violence just watch the left.
Theft, murder, robbery, home invasion.
Killing own children
The Left simply doesn’t care about the likes of Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump, or even one of their own when “their own” speaks against its own inhumanity to man. Frankly, I don’t think Mr. Fetterman has very good odds to seeing Christmas with his family, given his decision to let common sense lead his efforts on the behalf of his constituency and that’s a shame, he AND his constituents deserve better!
Just as many things come from the right! And only the right uses armed enforcers to go after innocent citizens and then murder them. And then they think they can get away with it. You don’t see this sort of thing from the left! And I find it interesting that you only name two people, one of whom was only attempts that were organized by that person themselves (fake attempts every time).