Security Officers Arrest Armed Man After Disturbance at County Fair Campaign Event
A community gathering turned chaotic when an armed man rushed toward a candidate running for governor. The incident took place during a local fair, where many families and community members had gathered to hear political figures speak.
The candidate, Dr. Amy Acton, was giving a speech at a political tent when a man suddenly forced his way through the crowd. During the commotion, several people were knocked to the ground, including older adults who were there to listen to the speech. Thankfully, none of the injuries were serious.
A Sudden Disruption in the Crowd
Witnesses at the scene described a sudden wave of confusion. The suspect, identified as Patrick M. Havas, a 38-year-old resident of Canfield, pushed his way toward the stage. Those nearby noticed he was holding his phone up, appearing as though he wanted to record himself asking the candidate a question.
However, his movement was aggressive. He pushed past several attendees, causing at least two older individuals to fall. John Boccieri, a candidate for the state legislature who witnessed the event, described seeing a large individual push into the tent and begin knocking people around, noting that one of the victims was an elderly man who appeared to be in his 80s.
Security personnel assigned to protect the candidate reacted immediately. They tackled and detained the man before he could reach the stage or cause further harm.
After searching the suspect, officers discovered he was carrying two handguns and a taser. While firearms are allowed on the fairgrounds outside of marked buildings, the suspect had these weapons on his person during the confrontation. Officers noted that the weapons remained in their holsters and were never drawn or pointed at anyone during the incident.
Suspect Faces Multiple Charges
Following the disruption, the suspect was taken to the local county jail. He faces several charges, including:
- Two counts of assault for knocking down fairgoers.
- One count of disorderly conduct for causing a disturbance at a public event.
While being held by security, some witnesses noted that the suspect complained and claimed he had a right to be there and ask questions, despite having just pushed people to the ground.
Candidate Steps In to Help
Immediately after the suspect was secured, Dr. Acton did not retreat. Instead, she stepped down to help the people who had been knocked over. Because she is a medical doctor, she was able to check on the injured volunteers and make sure they were okay.
Local leaders who witnessed the event praised her calm behavior. Mary Janek, a local city council member, noted that Dr. Acton remained poised and told the gathered crowd that people are tired of hatred and division. Her husband, school board member Tony Kelly, remarked how helpful it was to have a medical professional on the scene during such a stressful moment.
Leaders from Both Parties Speak Out
The incident drew quick condemnation from political figures across the state, regardless of their political party. Leaders agreed that violence and intimidation have no place in public life.
The candidate's campaign spokesperson, Addie Bullock, expressed gratitude for the quick work of law enforcement. She shared that Dr. Acton is praying for the speedy recovery of those who were hurt, emphasizing that Dr. Acton will continue to stand up against chaos and hatred.
Her opponent in the race, Vivek Ramaswamy, also spoke out against the behavior. His campaign spokesperson, Connie Luck, made it clear that all candidates should be able to meet with voters safely and without fear of violence, calling the incident completely unacceptable.
Other prominent state officials shared their thoughts as well:
- The state's current governor, Mike DeWine, spoke directly with Dr. Acton to confirm she was safe and stated that threats of violence at public events are never acceptable.
- State leader Jon Husted expressed deep concern over the attempted attack and thanked law enforcement for their rapid response.
- Another state leader, Sherrod Brown, shared his relief that everyone was safe and praised the professionalism of the officers on duty.
Connection to Previous Campaign Worker
Public records show that the suspect, Patrick Havas, previously lived at the same address as Andrew Havas. Andrew Havas was a campaign volunteer who resigned from another state political campaign earlier in the summer after past legal troubles came to light, which included jail time related to misconduct involving a minor.
The community remains focused on recovery and safety as the election season continues, with local officials promising to maintain high security at upcoming public gatherings.