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Armed man arrested after charging toward Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton at Canfield Fair

Amy Acton, Democratic nominee for Ohio governor
Amy Acton, Democratic nominee for Ohio governor

United States Air Force / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · source

Patrick Havas, 38, pushed through a crowd toward Democratic nominee Amy Acton; troopers recovered two pistols, and Acton was unharmed.

On Sept. 6, 2026, Patrick Havas, 38, of Canfield pushed through a crowd toward Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton at the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent at the Canfield Fair, knocking down two older adults. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers on Acton's detail stopped him; two handguns, brass knuckles and a Taser were recovered, none brandished. He was booked on disorderly conduct and two assault counts. Acton was unharmed and helped an injured attendee. Republicans and Democrats condemned the episode.

Shared facts

An armed man pushed through a crowd toward Democratic Ohio gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026.

Patrick Havas was arrested after the incident.

The incident was at the annual Canfield Fair in Canfield, in Mahoning County.

Acton was speaking to a crowd at the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent.

The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Authorities identified the man as Patrick Havas, 38, of Canfield, Ohio.

Havas was holding a cell phone or camera as he moved through the crowd.

Havas pushed his way through the crowd toward Acton.

Two older adults were knocked to the ground.

Volunteers were knocked to the ground.

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers on Acton's security detail confronted and stopped Havas.

Canfield Fair Police took Havas into custody.

After the arrest, law enforcement recovered two pistols or handguns.

Brass knuckles were recovered from Havas.

Officials also found a Taser or stun weapon.

Investigators said no weapons were brandished or removed from their holsters.

Acton was not injured.

Other people were injured.

The extent of injuries to those knocked down was not immediately clear.

Acton remained on site and helped an injured person.

Havas was booked into the Mahoning County Jail.

Havas was booked on disorderly conduct and two counts of assault.

Law enforcement is investigating the incident.

Acton campaign spokesperson Addie Bullock said an armed individual lunged at Acton, injuring multiple people.

Bullock said Acton and her husband Eric are grateful for law enforcement and are praying for those injured.

Bullock said this kind of violence has no place in Ohio.

Bullock said Acton will always stand up to chaos, hate and vitriol.

Mahoning County Democratic Party Chair Chris Anderson said a man with multiple weapons was arrested after knocking volunteers to the ground.

Anderson said the Mahoning County Democratic Party abhors political violence in all forms.

Anderson said what happened is reprehensible and should be condemned by leaders on all sides.

Anderson said the party is grateful for local law enforcement and the Highway Patrol security detail.

Ramaswamy spokesperson Connie Luck said candidates should be able to meet voters without threats or violence.

Luck said what happened is completely unacceptable, has no place in politics, and that the campaign hopes no one was hurt.

Gov. Mike DeWine said he and his wife are thankful Acton was not hurt and sent thoughts to those injured.

DeWine said they spoke to Acton and she asked to share that she is OK.

DeWine said violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable.

DeWine said the case is in law enforcement's hands and will be investigated thoroughly.

Sen. Jon Husted said he and his wife were disturbed by the attempted attack.

Husted said there is no place for this kind of behavior and it must never be tolerated.

Former Rep. John Boccieri said he witnessed the incident from inside the tent.

Boccieri said a large individual came barreling through the tent, knocking people around.

Acton faces Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the November general election.

Acton was Ohio's health director in the early Covid-19 pandemic.

Disputed facts

Sources disagree on whether the assault charges are misdemeanors or felonies.

CBS News

Armed man arrested after allegedly charging toward Democratic Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton at fair

CBS/AP

7 Sep 2026

Facts

Sheriff Jerry Greene said Havas aggressively shoved his way through the crowd toward Acton while holding a cell phone up.

Greene said Havas knocked over two older people on mobility scooters, causing one to fall to the ground.

Greene said the pistols and brass knuckles are legal to carry in Ohio.

Penny said the man knocked over an elderly gentleman with Parkinson's, who hit his head and fell.

Wayne Penny Jr. said hecklers had gathered at the Democratic tent and one of them rushed through the crowd toward Acton.

Attorney General Andy Wilson said attempted violence directed at Acton is unacceptable and that political violence has no place in Ohio or the nation.

Wilson said he has utmost faith in Acton's Highway Patrol protection detail and is grateful for their quick action.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

CNN

Armed individual lunges at Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee during fair, campaign says

Gregory Clary, Piper Hudspeth Blackburn

6 Sep 2026

Facts

Sen. Mark Kelly said he spoke to Acton on Sunday and called her tough.

Kelly said there is no place in society for political violence.

Boccieri said it was as if the man was trying to rush Acton.

Kelly said perpetrators of political violence must be brought to justice.

Boccieri said one person who was knocked down seemingly hit his head.

Boccieri said Acton's security team later escorted her out of the tent.

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine had appointed Acton to lead the state health department.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

NBC News

Armed man confronts Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at event; suspect arrested

Henry J. Gomez

6 Sep 2026

Facts

Canfield is a suburb of Youngstown.

The Highway Patrol provides protection to Acton because she is a candidate for governor.

Polls have indicated a close race.

Ramaswamy had been scheduled to visit the fair Sunday afternoon.

Husted said they are grateful for law enforcement's quick response.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

The Columbus Dispatch

Armed man arrested after lunging at Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton

Anthony Shoemaker, April Helms, Jessie Balmert

6 Sep 2026

Facts

The Canfield Fair allows firearms except inside marked buildings.

Janek overheard Acton tell those gathered, "We are sick of the hatred."

Boccieri said one person knocked down was a very elderly gentleman, probably in his 80s.

Andrew Havas resigned from Sen. Jon Husted's campaign in July after a prior conviction came to light.

NBC News reported Andrew Havas served jail time after accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Sherrod Brown said he and Connie are grateful Acton and all involved are safe and thanked Ohio law enforcement.

Opinion

Mary Janek said Acton was poised and in control.

Tony Kelly said it is always good to have a doctor in the house.

Tony Kelly said he heard Havas playing the victim as if he had every right to be there, ask questions and push people over.

New York Post

Armed intruder lunges at Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during event, injuring multiple people

Zoe Hussain

6 Sep 2026

Facts

Havas is not facing any firearms-related charges.

Inmate records show Havas is a large, bearded bald man.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

The Vindicator

UPDATE: Man arrested on assault charge at Acton event at Canfield Fair

Staff report

6 Sep 2026

Facts

No bond was set.

Havas will likely appear in Mahoning County Court in Canfield on Tuesday because the court is closed for Labor Day.

Sheriff's detectives said they will file charges after consulting the prosecutor.

Maria Pappas said the suspect had a gun, a stun weapon and brass knuckles when he was arrested.

The sheriff's office said Highway Patrol troopers will investigate any potential threat assessment.

Anderson said he does not know why Havas was there.

Anderson said the party will refer questions to law enforcement because the incident is under investigation.

Ramaswamy was at the Canfield Fair on Sunday campaigning after the incident involving Acton.

Court records show Havas's only Mahoning County conviction was a 2008 disorderly-conduct case; a petty-theft charge was dismissed.

Court records show Havas was accused of stealing three videos from a Canfield Giant Eagle.

Opinion

No opinion marked.