Suspect charged with assault after pushing through crowd at Acton’s Canfield Fair event

Key points

• Patrick Havas, 38, was arrested at the Canfield Fair on September 6 after pushing through a crowd at the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent.
• Havas faces two felony assault charges and one disorderly conduct charge; no bond was set, and he is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
• Two attendees were knocked to the ground during the incident, but Dr. Amy Acton was not injured and remained to assist those hurt.
• Investigators recovered two handguns and brass knuckles from Havas, though no weapons were drawn or brandished during the confrontation.
• Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers provided security for Acton and assisted in the immediate response to the incident.
• Both the Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy campaigns, along with Governor Mike DeWine, condemned the incident as unacceptable political violence.

Background

This incident occurred during a closely watched gubernatorial race between Democratic candidate Dr. Amy Acton, a former health director who led Ohio’s COVID-19 response, and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. The Canfield Fair is one of the largest county fairs in the country and a significant venue for political campaigning in Ohio. Previous coverage highlighted the tight contest and the high-profile nature of Acton’s campaign stops, which have drawn increased security attention. The incident adds to a broader national discourse on political violence and the safety of candidates and voters during public events.

How outlets are covering it

WFMJ and The Vinder reported that Havas was using a cell phone to record Acton’s visit when he began pushing through the crowd, leading to the confrontation with security. The Statehouse News Bureau noted that OSHP investigators also reported Havas had a Taser, a detail not mentioned in the other sources. All outlets agreed that no weapons were brandished, but WFMJ and The Vinder emphasized the recovery of two handguns and brass knuckles, while The Statehouse News Bureau added the Taser. WFMJ highlighted statements from local leaders, including Mahoning County Commissioner Geno DeFabio and Youngstown Bishop David Bonnar, who condemned the violence and called for de-escalation. The Vinder provided background on Havas’s prior 2008 disorderly conduct conviction, which was not mentioned in the other sources. The Statehouse News Bureau focused on the broader political context, noting that Acton and Ramaswamy are both campaigning for governor, and that the incident prompted bipartisan condemnation.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the growing concerns about political violence and the safety of candidates and voters during public events in Ohio. It highlights the role of law enforcement and security details in preventing potential harm and the importance of bipartisan condemnation of such acts. The case also raises questions about the motivations behind the incident and the broader political climate in Ohio, where the gubernatorial race is closely contested. The recovery of multiple weapons, even if not brandished, adds to the seriousness of the charges and the need for thorough investigation.

What to watch

Havas is expected to appear in Mahoning County Court on Tuesday for his initial hearing. Investigators from the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol will continue to probe the incident, including any potential threat assessment. The Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case before final charges are filed. The public is urged to contact law enforcement with any video or photo evidence of the incident. The political campaigns of both Acton and Ramaswamy will likely continue to emphasize the importance of safe and respectful political discourse in the lead-up to the election.