This is the booking photo of Patrick Havas, the suspect in the alleged incident.
According to the press office for Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, an “armed individual” allegedly lunged at Acton, injuring multiple people in the process during a visit to the Canfield Fair on Sunday, September 6.
The following statement was shared by Acton’s office regarding the alleged incident:
“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,” said Addie Bullock, the Communications Director for the Acton Campaign.
During an incident at the Canfield Fair on Sunday, Acton was approached by an armed suspect. One person has since been taken into custody. Corey McCrae has more details on what one witness says he saw.
The Mahoning County Democratic Party (MCDP) Chair, Chris Anderson, released a statement on behalf of the Party via social media in connection with the incident, reading:
“Moments ago during a visit from Dr. Amy Acton, an individual was arrested at the MCDP tent with multiple weapons, after knocking volunteers to the ground. Let me be clear – The Mahoning County Democratic Party abhors political violence in all forms. 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. MCDP is grateful for the quick response by our local law enforcement officials as well as the OSHP providing Dr. Acton security. Because this is now an ongoing investigation, we will refer all questions to law enforcement.”
Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene tells 21 News that the suspect is expected to be charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct. Sheriff Greene says that two older adults were knocked over during the incident.
The suspect was holding a phone or a type of camera during the incident. However, two firearms were discovered on their person.
The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help. Anyone with a cell phone or other video recordings capturing the incident that occurred Sunday at the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent on the Canfield Fairgrounds is asked to contact the office. Officers are seeking video or still photos of the incident involving Acton and/or Patrick Havas and urge anyone with them to contact Chief Deputy Jeff Allen at 330-480-5012 as soon as possible.
Officials on the scene outlined what happened during the alleged attack, stating that the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Patrick Havas, entered the MCDP tent and started pushing people out of the way to get to the front of the crowd, knocking two people over in the process.
Members of Acton’s security team intervened and assisted the Canfield Fair Police. Havas has been taken to the Mahoning County Jail.
The incident occurred, according to police, around 2:45 p.m.
According to a statement from the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, as Havas pushed through the crowd and was confronted by Acton’s security team, comprised of Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) troopers. The release outlines that it was at this time that two people were knocked to the ground.
Havas was taken into custody by Canfield Fair Police officers. After his arrest, the release states that two handguns and a set of brass knuckles were recovered. Investigators specify, however, that no weapons were brandished or removed from their holsters.
Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident, and troopers with the OSHP are investigating any potential threat assessment.
John Boccieri, a Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 58th District, witnessed the incident firsthand. He released a statement that read in part:
“This incident should alarm every Ohioan, regardless of political affiliation. There can be absolutely no tolerance for threats, intimidation or violence against candidates, elected officials, campaign volunteers or citizens participating in our democratic process. We live in a deeply divided political environment, but political disagreement can never become an excuse for violence. Democrats, Republicans and independents must stand together in condemning conduct that threatens anyone exercising the right to participate in public life.”
The Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for Ohio Campaign released the following statement regarding the alleged incident involving Acton:
“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,” said Connie Luck, the Communications Director for Vivek for Ohio.
Ramaswamy is also campaigning, like Acton, for the Ohio Governor’s seat, which is currently held by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who Acton previously worked under.
DeWine himself weighed in on the incident, calling saying he’s grateful that Acton was not hurt and that political violence is “always unacceptable” regardless of where it takes place and which party is involved.
Another member of DeWine’s cabinet, Attorney General Andy Wilson, echoed this sentiment, thanking OSHP for their swift action in making sure no one was seriously hurt.
Some local leaders weighed in as well, such as Mahoning County Commissioner Geno DeFabio. He released a statement on his official Facebook page condemning political violence.
The statement reads in part:
“Political violence of any kind has no place in America! The rhetoric has to tone down immediately. People are being assassinated, shot at and assaulted and for what? Politics? From the stickers that read 86/47 handed out last year at the fair to the political ads we hear everyday some crazy is going to get triggered. We are better than to let Politics turn to violence on either side of the aisle.”
Youngstown Bishop David Bonnar also released a statement condemning political violence and urging the public to pray.
“As I previously mentioned in April after the Correspondents Dinner shooting, we should pray for peace in moments of disagreement and discord,” Bishop Bonnar said.