UPDATE (Sunday evening, Sept. 6, 2026): Mahoning County law enforcement has identified the suspect in the Canfield Fair incident involving Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dr. Amy Acton as Patrick Havas, local affiliate WFMJ 21 News reported. Havas entered the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent, pushed toward the front of the crowd, and knocked two older adults over, officials on scene told WFMJ. He reportedly had two firearms on his person, was taken into custody with help from Acton’s security team and Canfield Fair Police, and booked into the Mahoning County Jail.

Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene told WFMJ that Havas will be charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct. Acton was not hurt. The Cox Media Group / WPXI account matches the same LE outline from Greene and WFMJ.

Earlier Sunday, Acton’s campaign said an armed individual lunged at her at the Canfield Fair in Mahoning County near Youngstown, injuring multiple people nearby. Campaign communications director Addie Bullock said Acton and her husband, Eric, “are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured.” Bullock added: “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.”

Chris Anderson, chair of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, said the incident happened at the county party’s tent during Acton’s visit. “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, as quoted by NBC News and WLWT. “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, a physician and former Ohio health director under term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, faces Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy in November to succeed DeWine. Polls have indicated a close race, NBC reported. Ramaswamy was also scheduled to visit the fair Sunday afternoon.

Ramaswamy campaign spokesperson Connie Luck condemned the 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.”

Sources