Sheriff Identifies Suspect in Amy Acton Canfield Fair Incident

Sheriff identifies jailed suspect and alleged offenses

CANFIELD, Ohio — Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene has identified the man arrested after allegedly pushing toward Democratic Ohio gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton during a Sunday campaign stop at the Canfield Fair as Patrick Havas, 38, of Canfield.

Greene told WFMJ that Havas would be charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct, according to a report republished by WPXI. Cleveland 19 separately reported that Mahoning County jail records show Havas was booked on two assault counts and one disorderly-conduct count.

The booked offenses are allegations, not convictions. No publicly reviewed complaint, probable-cause affidavit or court finding establishes Havas's intent or a political motive, and this report is not identifying him as guilty.

Read the source: Associated Press: campaign and party officials' account of the Canfield Fair incident ↗

Two people reportedly knocked down; two firearms reported

Greene told WFMJ that two older adults were knocked over. The station reported that Havas entered the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent, pushed toward the front and possessed two firearms; Acton's security detail and Canfield Fair police intervened. Acton was not injured.

Those details materially narrow the campaign's initial statement that multiple people were hurt and that the arrested person had multiple weapons. Authorities have not publicly released the two people's names, conditions or any medical diagnosis, and the reports reviewed do not say that either firearm was displayed, discharged or used to injure anyone.

What’s the Scoop With Broach is not presenting motive, political affiliation or criminal intent as established fact. No verified evidence reviewed shows that Havas supported Acton's opponent, belonged to a political organization, targeted Acton because of her party or intended to use either firearm.

Read the source: CNN via KRDO: separate report of the campaign statement and request for police information ↗

Opponent condemns the reported violence

Acton, a physician and former Ohio health director, is the Democratic nominee for governor. She is running against Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy in the November election.

Ramaswamy's communications director, Connie Luck, told AP that candidates should be able to meet voters without threats or violence and called Sunday's reported incident unacceptable. That condemnation does not provide independent evidence about the arrested person's identity, beliefs or motive.

Political figures and their supporters can condemn violence immediately without using an incomplete account to assign collective blame. Responsibility, charges and intent must be established with evidence tied to the individual involved, not speculation about an entire party or movement.

Read the source: WPXI citing WFMJ: sheriff's charging statement, suspect identity and two reported victims ↗

The next records that should clarify the incident

The most important next records are the incident report, body-camera footage, probable-cause filing, formal criminal complaint, court docket and any medical update from the two people reportedly knocked down.

A jail booking records custody and alleged offenses; it does not prove guilt. A sheriff's statement about charges also is not a conviction, and later court filings may change, add or dismiss allegations.

This report will be updated if law enforcement, prosecutors or court records materially clarify the sequence, weapons, injuries or motive. Partisan posts that add ideology or intent without documentation should not be treated as evidence.

Read the source: Cleveland 19: Mahoning County jail-record booking details ↗

About the image

The accompanying image is an authentic December 2025 photograph of Amy Acton at a conference. It does not depict Sunday's Canfield Fair stop, the reported lunge, the arrested person, responding officers or anyone reported injured.

Photographer Patricio101 dedicated the image to the public domain under CC0 1.0 through Wikimedia Commons. It is used with attribution for identification and does not imply endorsement by the photographer or Wikimedia Commons.

Read the source: Amy Acton for Governor: official candidate biography ↗