Amy Acton Attack Update: Suspect Had Two Guns and Brass Knuckles After Allegedly Rushing Ohio Candidate

A man accused of pushing through a crowd towards Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton was carrying two handguns and brass knuckles when he was arrested, authorities said, adding a troubling detail to an incident that left two people knocked to the ground at the Canfield Fair on Sunday.

The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Patrick Havas of Canfield, was taken into custody after the confrontation on 6 September. Acton was unharmed, according to authorities. Investigators stressed that Havas did not brandish the weapons or remove them from their holsters during the incident.

Havas Allegedly Pushed Through Crowd

The disturbance unfolded at around 2:30 p.m. while Acton was speaking to a crowd gathered inside the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent at the Canfield Fair.

According to the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, Havas entered the tent while using his mobile phone to record Acton's appearance and began pushing his way through the crowd.

Acton's security detail, made up of Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, confronted Havas. Two people were knocked to the ground during the encounter before Canfield Fair police officers took him into custody.

Acton's campaign described the incident as an alleged lunge towards the candidate and said multiple people were injured. Authorities have not publicly established Havas's motive, and an investigation remains underway.

Two Guns and Brass Knuckles Recovered

Authorities said officers recovered two handguns and a set of brass knuckles from Havas after his arrest. The Ohio State Highway Patrol separately said a Taser was also found in his possession.

Investigators said none of the weapons were brandished during the disturbance or removed from their holsters.

Havas was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct, according to the Highway Patrol. The Ohio State Highway Patrol and Mahoning County Sheriff's Office are investigating what led to the confrontation.

Acton Helped an Injured Attendee

After Havas was subdued, Acton remained at the scene and assisted one of the people injured during the disturbance.

Former Democratic congressman John Boccieri, who witnessed the incident, told CNN that two older adults were knocked down as the man pushed through the tent. He said one appeared to strike his head on a table and that Acton began administering care before her security team escorted her away.

Acton's spokesperson, Addie Bullock, said the candidate and her husband, Eric, were grateful for law enforcement's response and were 'praying for the recovery of those injured'.

Ramaswamy Campaign Condemns Incident

The incident quickly drew condemnation across party lines as Acton campaigns against Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy in the November Ohio gubernatorial election.

Ramaswamy's communications director Connie Luck said candidates 'should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence,' describing what happened as 'completely unacceptable'.

Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who appointed Acton to lead the Ohio Department of Health in 2019, also confirmed that he had spoken with her following the incident.

'Fran and I are thankful that Dr. Amy Acton was not hurt, and we send our thoughts to those who were injured,' DeWine said.

He added that the case was in the hands of law enforcement and would be 'investigated thoroughly'.