A man carrying two firearms was taken into custody in the United States after rushing toward Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate campaigning for the Ohio governorship, at a public gathering on Sunday.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol, assigned to Acton’s security detail, informed the BBC in an official statement that officers intercepted the individual before he could make contact with Acton at the annual Canfield Fair in Ohio.
The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Patrick Havas, a resident of Canfield, was in possession of two pistols when he was apprehended.
Acton emerged from the incident unharmed, although her campaign reported that several bystanders sustained injuries when the man attempted to lunge in her direction.
“Dr. Acton and her husband Eric are deeply thankful for the rapid and resolute response from law enforcement and are keeping those who were injured in their prayers,” a statement issued by her communications director read.
“There is no room for this type of violence in Ohio. Dr. Acton will continue to confront the disorder, animosity, and hostility that drive us apart.”
Providing further context on the event, Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene told the BBC’s American affiliate CBS News that Havas had been detained after forcefully pushing his way through the audience toward Acton while holding a cell phone aloft.
According to Greene, the suspect knocked down two individuals who were navigating the area on mobility scooters.
Havas is currently being held at the county jail and has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct.
Acton’s Republican opponent in the Ohio governor’s race, Vivek Ramaswamy, a political ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, has publicly denounced the episode.
A spokesperson for Ramaswamy’s campaign stated: “Political candidates must be able to engage with constituents free from intimidation or physical danger. Today’s events are entirely indefensible and have no place in the political arena, and we sincerely hope everyone emerges from this without serious harm.”
The sitting Ohio Governor, Republican Mike DeWine, echoed those sentiments, affirming that political violence should never be tolerated at public functions.
The United States has been shaken in recent years by a wave of prominent political violence, ranging from attacks on elected officials to assassination attempts against Trump.
Some of these incidents have proven fatal. Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk lost his life in Utah last September. Additionally, Minnesota Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot at their residence.
