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Armed Man With Two Pistols Charged Toward Ohio Governor Candidate
A routine campaign stops at an Ohio county fair suddenly turned into a security emergency when an armed man allegedly forced his way through a crowd and charged toward Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton.
From https://actonforgovernor.com/meet-amy/
The incident happened Sunday, September 6, at the Canfield Fair in northeastern Ohio, where Acton was speaking at the Mahoning County Democratic Party booth. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, 38-year-old Patrick Havas pushed through the crowd, knocking over several people as he moved toward the candidate.
What made the incident especially alarming was what investigators say Havas was carrying.
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Authorities said he had a Taser and two pistols. The Mahoning County Sheriff's Office later said officers recovered two handguns and brass knuckles after his arrest.
Despite the weapons, authorities said neither pistol was drawn or removed from its holster.
Acton was not injured. Several people in the crowd were hurt during the confrontation, including people who were knocked down as Havas allegedly pushed his way forward.
Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol's executive protection unit intervened and stopped Havas before he reached Acton. He was taken to the Mahoning County Jail and booked on charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of assault.
The motive remains unclear, and authorities have not said why Havas was allegedly trying to reach Acton. Court records did not yet show the case Sunday night, and it was also unclear whether Havas had obtained an attorney.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine condemned the incident, saying violence or the threat of violence at political events is unacceptable.
Acton's Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, also condemned what happened. His campaign said candidates should be able to meet voters without worrying about threats or violence.
The incident comes as Ohio's governor race enters its final stretch before the November election. Acton, a former Ohio public health director who became nationally known during the COVID-19 pandemic, is attempting to win the governorship for Democrats in a state that has been dominated by Republicans in recent statewide elections.
For Acton, the confrontation lasted only moments. But the sight of an armed man forcing his way through a crowd toward a major political candidate has once again raised a difficult question for American campaigns: how much security is enough when candidates are expected to meet voters in open public spaces?
Editor's Note: Authorities have not announced a motive for the incident. The allegations against Patrick Havas remain part of an ongoing investigation, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
