DistantNews
Support us
🇺🇸 United States /Elections & Politics

Armed man charged toward Ohio governor candidate at fair, authorities say

From PBS NewsHour · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Under investigation
  • Authorities said Patrick Havas, 38, pushed through a crowd toward Democratic Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair and injured several people.
  • Police said he carried a Taser and two pistols, while two handguns and brass knuckles were recovered after his arrest; no weapons were removed from their holsters.
  • Havas faces disorderly conduct and two assault charges as the incident draws condemnation in one of the most closely watched U.S. gubernatorial races.

An armed man charged through a crowd toward Democratic Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton during a campaign appearance Sunday at the Canfield Fair, authorities said. Several people were injured before Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers stopped him.

No weapons were ever brandished or even removed from their holsters.

· Mahoning County Sheriff’s OfficeThe sheriff’s office’s description of the weapons recovered after the arrest.

The patrol identified the man as Patrick Havas, 38. It said he forced his way through the crowd and knocked over several people as he moved toward Acton, a former state public health director. Authorities said he had a Taser and two pistols. The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office said officers recovered two handguns and brass knuckles after his arrest, but “no weapons were ever brandished or even removed from their holsters.”

Havas was booked into the county jail on charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of assault. Court records did not yet list the case, and it was unclear whether he had an attorney. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said Havas “tried to forcefully push himself” toward Acton as she spoke at the fair.

Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable.

· Mike DeWineThe Ohio governor’s condemnation of the incident.

The incident comes as the Ohio governor’s race enters the final six weeks before the November election. Acton is running against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who is using his national profile, technology-sector connections and alliance with President Donald Trump to fund advertising and campaign rallies attacking her.

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.

· Connie LuckRamaswamy’s communications director responding to the incident.

Ramaswamy’s campaign called the incident unacceptable. Acton’s communications director said the suspect “lunged” at her and that the candidate would stand against “the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another.” Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted also condemned the attempted attack and praised law enforcement’s quick response.

The chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another.

· Addie BullockActon’s campaign communications director describing what the candidate would oppose.
About this summary

Originally published by PBS NewsHour in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog