CANFIELD, Ohio — An armed man was arrested after authorities say he forced his way through a crowd toward Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair, knocking over two fairgoers before state troopers stopped him.
Acton, a former state health director and the Democratic nominee for governor, was not injured. The incident occurred Sunday afternoon at a tent operated by the Mahoning County Democratic Party during the annual fair in Canfield, near Youngstown in northeastern Ohio.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the suspect as Patrick M. Havas, 38, of Canfield. Troopers assigned to Acton’s executive-protection detail detained him after he pushed through the crowd in her direction, authorities said.
Havas was taken to the Mahoning County Jail and booked on charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of assault, one for each person authorities say he knocked to the ground.
After the arrest, law enforcement recovered two handguns and brass knuckles from Havas, according to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said no weapon was brandished or removed from a holster during the confrontation.
The incident has heightened concerns about candidate safety in a politically charged election cycle, even as officials said the investigation remains ongoing and no motive has been publicly identified.
What authorities say happened
The confrontation unfolded at approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Canfield Fair, one of Ohio’s largest annual county-fair events.
Acton was visiting the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent when Havas allegedly pushed his way through a crowd toward her while holding a cellphone up, Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene told CBS News.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said Havas forced his way through the gathering, knocking over multiple people in the process as he moved toward Acton.
Acton’s security detail intervened before he reached her.
Troopers from the Highway Patrol’s executive-protection unit quickly detained Havas, officials said. Acton was unharmed.
Campaign spokesperson Addie Bullock said an “armed individual” lunged at Acton and injured several people. Christopher Anderson, chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, said the suspect knocked volunteers to the ground before he was arrested.
Sheriff Greene told local NBC affiliate 21 News that two older adults were knocked down.
Authorities have not released the names or medical conditions of the people who were injured. Reports have described the injuries as resulting from the crowd confrontation rather than gunfire or the use of another weapon.
The difference is important. Law enforcement has not alleged that Havas pointed a gun, discharged a weapon or used the recovered brass knuckles during the incident.
But officials said the presence of weapons elevated the seriousness of the event and underscored the importance of the protective detail assigned to Acton.
Weapons recovered after arrest
After Havas was detained, authorities recovered two handguns and a set of brass knuckles, according to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol also reported that Havas had a Taser and two pistols in his possession.
There are slight differences in how the agencies described the items recovered, likely reflecting preliminary reports from separate law-enforcement offices. The sheriff’s office identified two handguns and brass knuckles. The Highway Patrol said Havas had a Taser and two pistols.
Both agencies agreed that no weapon was brandished or removed from a holster.
That distinction will likely matter as investigators determine whether additional charges are appropriate.
Ohio has broad laws allowing the possession and carrying of firearms under certain circumstances. The fact that weapons were recovered does not by itself establish that they were used unlawfully. The current charges are disorderly conduct and two counts of misdemeanor assault, according to law-enforcement statements.
Investigators have not announced whether Havas had a concealed-carry permit, whether the weapons were legally owned or whether he will face charges related to the brass knuckles or Taser.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not released a probable-cause affidavit outlining the evidence behind the charges.
Acton is unharmed
Acton was protected by Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers when the incident occurred.
The patrol’s executive-protection unit is responsible for providing security to certain high-profile elected officials and candidates. Its rapid intervention appears to have prevented the confrontation from reaching Acton.
Bullock, Acton’s campaign spokesperson, said the candidate was safe but emphasized the impact on those around her.
“Dr. Acton is unharmed, but multiple people were injured,” Bullock said in a statement reported by Reuters.
Acton has not publicly released a detailed statement about the incident.
She is running for governor in a race expected to draw national attention. Acton became a well-known figure in Ohio during the COVID-19 pandemic when she served as the state’s health director under Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
Her daily public briefings and support for pandemic restrictions made her a prominent but polarizing figure. Supporters praised her public-health leadership, while critics objected to the scope and duration of restrictions imposed during the emergency.
She later entered the 2026 gubernatorial race as the Democratic nominee.
The incident at the fair occurred in Mahoning County, a region with political importance in Ohio. The Youngstown area has historically been a Democratic stronghold, though the Mahoning Valley has become more competitive in recent election cycles.
Bipartisan condemnation
Acton’s Republican opponent, entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, condemned the incident in a statement.
“This is completely unacceptable,” Ramaswamy said, according to reports.
The response reflects a broader bipartisan norm: threats or physical confrontations involving political candidates are generally condemned regardless of party affiliation.
Political violence and threats against public officials have become a major concern in the United States in recent years. Elected officials, candidates, election workers, judges, school-board members and public-health officials have reported increased harassment, threats and security concerns.
The Canfield Fair incident did not involve a shooting, and authorities have not said it was politically motivated. But the presence of weapons and the alleged attempt to reach a statewide candidate have made it an immediate focus of concern.
The episode also demonstrates why candidates increasingly travel with security details, even at local events such as fairs, parades, town halls and campaign stops.
Such appearances are central to American politics. They allow candidates to speak directly with voters in informal settings. But they also place public figures in crowded and unpredictable environments.
The security challenge is balancing access with protection.
Charges and legal process
Havas was booked at the Mahoning County Jail on two counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of disorderly conduct.
Assault charges can arise when a person knowingly causes or attempts to cause physical harm to another person. Disorderly-conduct charges can cover disruptive, threatening or violent behavior in public settings.
The final charges could change as the investigation develops.
Prosecutors will review witness accounts, video footage, officer reports, medical information and evidence recovered after the arrest. They may also examine Havas’ movements before the incident, communications, social-media activity and potential motive.
Authorities have not said whether Havas made threats toward Acton, had any prior connection to her campaign or expressed a political motive.
No attorney for Havas was immediately identified in initial reports.
Like all defendants, Havas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The current allegations are based on statements from law enforcement and the Acton campaign. The legal case will determine whether prosecutors can prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
A larger security environment
The incident comes amid a difficult national climate for public officials.
Campaign events are intentionally open. Candidates shake hands, pose for photos, visit local businesses and speak at festivals. That accessibility is a defining feature of democratic politics.
But it also creates vulnerability.
Security professionals must assess crowd behavior, screen access points, monitor exits, coordinate with local police and respond quickly when someone behaves unpredictably.
At a fair, those challenges can be particularly acute. Fairgrounds are large, crowded and designed for public movement. They include vendors, rides, food stands, livestock areas, political tents and multiple entrances.
The Canfield Fair draws large crowds every year, making it a valuable stop for political candidates but also a challenging security environment.
Acton’s executive-protection detail appears to have been close enough to respond quickly when Havas moved through the crowd.
The outcome could have been worse if security personnel had not been present, officials and campaign representatives suggested.
Still, the case has prompted questions about how the suspect reached the candidate’s vicinity while carrying weapons. Authorities have not yet explained whether weapons screening was in place at the political tent or elsewhere on the fairgrounds.
Under Ohio law, fairs and other public venues may have different rules about firearms depending on the property, event management and local regulations. Investigators may examine whether any rules were violated and whether security procedures need to change for future campaign appearances.
Acton’s campaign continues
Acton’s campaign has not indicated that it plans to cancel future public events.
Candidates typically try to avoid allowing security incidents to disrupt their connection with voters. But campaigns often reassess security protocols after a confrontation, especially when weapons are involved.
Potential changes can include:
- Increasing the number of security personnel.
- Creating wider buffers around candidates.
- Limiting access points to campaign tents.
- Using magnetometers or bag checks at larger events.
- Coordinating more closely with local law enforcement.
- Adjusting routes and arrival times.
- Training staff and volunteers to identify disruptive behavior.
Such measures can improve safety but may also make campaign events feel more controlled and less accessible.
That tension is increasingly common in American politics. Candidates need public contact to campaign effectively, but security concerns can make open engagement more difficult.
For Acton, the incident will likely become part of the broader narrative of a high-profile gubernatorial campaign in a state where political competition remains intense.
The investigation continues
The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and local prosecutors are expected to continue investigating the incident.
Key unanswered questions include:
- What motivated Havas to move toward Acton?
- Did he make any statements before, during or after the confrontation?
- Were the recovered weapons legally possessed?
- Did he violate any fairground, county or state restrictions?
- Were the two people knocked down seriously injured?
- Will prosecutors pursue additional charges?
Authorities have urged the public not to speculate about motives before the investigation produces more information.
For now, the known facts are limited but serious: a man carrying two handguns and other weapons allegedly forced his way through a crowd toward a gubernatorial candidate, knocking down two people before troopers stopped him.
Acton was unharmed. Two fairgoers were reportedly injured. The suspect is in custody.
The incident has renewed attention on the risks facing candidates in an era when political events remain public, and when a moment of disorder in a crowded fairground can quickly become a threat to democratic participation.