Man Charged After Lunging at Amy Acton

Ohio State Highway Patrol has identified the man arrested after allegedly forcing his way through a crowd toward Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor, at the Canfield Fair on Sunday. He is Patrick M. Havas, 38, of Canfield, the patrol said.

Havas was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer and NOTUS. He was ineligible for bond, jail records showed. NOTUS reported that jail records did not list an attorney for him. The charges are allegations and have not been tested in court.

"Havas knocked multiple fairgoers over while trying to get towards Dr. Acton, and was found to be in possession of a taser and two pistols," the highway patrol said in a statement quoted by NOTUS. "Dr. Acton was unharmed during the incident."

Investigators said none of the weapons was brandished or removed from its holster, the Enquirer reported. The Canfield Fair allows firearms in most areas but prohibits them inside designated buildings.

This page supersedes The Frank's earlier report, which was published before an arrest and said Canfield police had no immediate suspect information.

What Witnesses Said

Witnesses told the Enquirer that Havas appeared to be holding up a cell phone as if he intended to record himself asking Acton a question before forcing his way through the crowd. Former U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, who witnessed the encounter, said Havas knocked down several people including an elderly man.

Acton was not injured. Several fairgoers and volunteers were knocked down and hurt, with injuries authorities described as not serious, the Enquirer reported. Witnesses said Acton helped injured attendees after the suspect was detained.