BREAKING: “Armed Individual” Reportedly Lunges At Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate During Event, Multiple People Injured

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— Dr. Amy Acton (@amyactonoh) September 6, 2026

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The incident occurred Sunday afternoon while Acton visited the annual Canfield Fair in Mahoning County, near Youngstown. Acton, a physician, was not hurt, and remained on site to attend to one of the people injured, according to a photo an attendee shared with NBC News.

The extent of injuries to others was not immediately known.

Canfield police did not have immediate information about the incident or a suspect when reached by NBC News. The Ohio State Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to a request for information.

Christopher Anderson, chair of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, said the incident happened while Acton was at the county party’s tent.

“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. “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 was Ohio’s health director under term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, in the early days of the Covid pandemic. She faces Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy, a businessman who ran for president in 2024, in the November general election to determine DeWine’s successor. Polls have indicated a close race.

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— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) September 6, 2026

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Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene tells 21 News that the suspect is expected to be charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct. Sheriff Greene says that two older adults were knocked over during the incident.

The suspect was holding a phone or a type of camera during the incident. However, two firearms were discovered on their person.

Officials on the scene outlined what happened during the alleged attack, stating that the suspect, identified as Patrick Havas, entered the MCDP tent and started pushing people out of the way to get to the front of the crowd, knocking two people over in the process.

Members of Acton’s security team intervened and assisted the Canfield Fair Police. Havas has been taken to the Mahoning County Jail.

The incident occurred, according to police, around 2:45 p.m.

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