Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and her campaign claimed that “multiple people” were injured when an armed individual “lunged” at her as she was giving a speech in the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent at the Canfield Fair on Sunday. Acton’s dramatic account was far different from that of Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene, however.
The man, identified as 38-year-old Patrick Havas of Canfield, knocked over two elderly audience members before members of Acton’s security detail detained and handcuffed him, according to Sheriff Greene and a witness who spoke with the New York Times.
Acton’s campaign issued a statement describing the event in stronger terms. “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,” the statement read.
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Video taken of Amy Acton (@amyactonoh) before today’s “incident” shows Acton comparing Ohio to Ground Zero just days before 9/11.
As she slurred her words and screamed, Acton said:
“This is it. We are ground zero.”
Yesterday, Acton slurred her words, resulting in many asking… pic.twitter.com/jkWzX2MV5l
— Charles R Downs (@TheCharlesDowns) September 6, 2026
Elected Democrats and candidates responded with statements of concern and prayer. Mahoning County Democratic Party chair Chris Anderson called the events at the tent “reprehensible” and said they “should be condemned by leaders on all sides of the aisle,” describing the matter as political violence.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) said he spoke with Acton and stated there is “no place in our society for political violence,” referencing his wife Gabby Giffords’ 2011 shooting. Democratic Senate candidate Sherrod Brown said he was “grateful that Dr. Acton and all involved are safe.”
Acton’s Republican businessman Vivek Ramwaswamy, also issued words of concern and condemned political violence in all forms. A number of additional Republican lawmakers in Ohio and elsewhere made similar statements.
Havas will face two counts of misdemeanor assault, one for each individual he knocked over, and an additional count of disorderly conduct. Sheriff Greene said in a brief statement. The victims were assessed for potential injuries and chose not to seek further treatment, while Acton was not injured, he added.
The man was found to have two firearms after he was detained, but he did not draw the weapons.
When asked about the assailant’s intent, the sheriff said, “I think it was to ask her a couple of questions. He was just, you know, pretty aggressive about it.”
Additional reporting from local outlet WFMJ aligned with the sheriff’s description that Havas entered the tent, pushed people aside while holding a phone or camera, and knocked two older adults over as security confronted him. After arrest, two handguns as well as a set of brass knuckles, were recovered.
Acton remained at the event and assisted one of those who had been pushed down. Video footage of the incident has not yet emerged as of this report.
