An “armed individual” lunged at Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair on Sunday, according to a statement from Acton’s campaign.
“While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people,” said Addie Bullock, Communications Director for the Acton campaign.
“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,” Bullock continued.
— Dr. Amy Acton (@amyactonoh) September 6, 2026
NBC News shared further:
The incident occurred Sunday afternoon while Acton visited the annual Canfield Fair in Mahoning County, near Youngstown. Acton, a physician, was not hurt, and remained on site to attend to one of the people injured, according to a photo an attendee shared with NBC News.
The extent of injuries to others was not immediately known.
ADVERTISEMENTCanfield police did not have immediate information about the incident or a suspect when reached by NBC News. The Ohio State Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to a request for information.
Christopher Anderson, chair of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, said the incident happened while Acton was at the county party’s tent.
“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,” Anderson wrote on Facebook. “MCDP is grateful for the quick response by our local law enforcement officials as well as the Ohio State Highway Patrol providing Dr. Acton security.”
Acton was Ohio’s health director under term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, in the early days of the Covid pandemic. She faces Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy, a businessman who ran for president in 2024, in the November general election to determine DeWine’s successor. Polls have indicated a close race.
Ramaswamy’s campaign released a statement after the alleged incident.
“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, Communications Director for Vivek for Ohio.
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) September 6, 2026
WFMJ has more:
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.
Officials on the scene outlined what happened during the alleged attack, stating that the suspect, identified as 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.
ADVERTISEMENTMembers 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.
