The suspected armed assailant who authorities say charged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair on Sunday is a registered Republican, according to reports and records reviewed by Newsweek. Patrick Havas, 38, knocked over multiple members of the audience as he forced his way through a crowd toward Acton, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said in a statement. He had a Taser and two pistols, the state highway patrol said.
Havas is being held at the Mahoning County Jail. He was booked on charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of assault. The incident occurred in the Mahoning County Democrat Party tent at one of Ohio's largest annual fairs.
Havas, of Canfield, Ohio, entered the tent and began “pushing his way through the crowd” while using his cell phone to record, the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted on social media. Havas is a registered Republican and licensed nurse, according to records reviewed by Newsweek and reports in TiffinOhio.net and The Daily Beast. His last vote was in 2024.
Newsweek has contacted Acton's campaign, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Mahoning County Sheriff's Office for further comment via emails sent outside regular business hours. Acton's security detail, which was made up of troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, were able to confront the suspect and he was taken into custody, the sheriff’s office said. Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene told CBS News that as Havas rushed forward, he allegedly knocked into two older people on mobility scooters who fell to the ground.
Havas had two handguns and a set of brass knuckles on him, but no weapons were brandished or even removed from their holsters during the incident, the sheriff’s office said. The sheriff’s office said it will continue investigating the incident and “will be filing charges after consulting with the County Prosecutor.” The state patrol will investigate any potential threat assessment, the sheriff’s office added. Addie Bullock, communications director for Acton’s campaign, said in a statement that “an armed individual lunged at Dr.
Action, injuring multiple people. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured.” Bullock added that Acton “will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another.” This is a developing story.
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