The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office released a statement about an incident involving Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair on Sunday. The official account differs significantly from the initial description provided by Acton’s campaign and the reactions of several Democratic lawmakers.
Acton’s campaign said an armed man lunged at the candidate around 2:30 p.m., injuring multiple people before being taken into custody. The statement expressed gratitude for law enforcement’s quick response and said Acton and her husband were praying for those hurt, while condemning political violence.
In the hours afterward, national and state Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Senator Mark Kelly, offered support and denounced political violence. Police later identified the man as 38-year-old Patrick Havas of Canfield and charged him with two misdemeanor assault counts and one count of disorderly conduct.
Sheriff Jerry Greene said Havas appeared to be trying to ask Acton questions in an aggressive manner. Authorities confirmed he was carrying two handguns and brass knuckles, all legal in Ohio, but none of the weapons were drawn during the confrontation.
A more detailed sheriff’s office statement said Havas entered the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent while recording with his phone and began pushing through the crowd. When Acton’s security detail of Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers confronted him, two people were knocked to the ground. Havas was then taken into custody by Canfield Fair police.
Police emphasized that Acton herself was not injured and have not described the incident as an attack or attempted assassination. Detectives are continuing to investigate and will consult with the county prosecutor on any additional charges.