Prosecutor Gives Us the Rest of the Story on Amy Acton 'Attack' — This Blows Up the Media Narrativehttps://redstate.com/kyle-becker/2026/09/09/prosecutor-gives-us-the-rest-of-the-story-on-amy-acton-attack-this-blows-up-the-media-narrative-n2206727Breathless reports about the Amy Acton "attack" made it sound like a crazed gunman injured multiple people trying to accost the poor Ohio gubernatorial candidate.
“While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people,” campaign communications director Addie Bullock said. “Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured.”
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A prosecutor is setting the record straight, and it backs up the police account: Acton was never really in danger.
Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro said Tuesday that the suspect, 38-year-old Patrick Havas, appeared to have entered the Democrat Party tent at the Canfield Fair because he wanted to ask Acton questions — and investigators have so far found no evidence that he threatened her.
“He appeared in that tent wanting to ask questions,” Maro told the court during Havas' arraignment.
Havas consented to investigators searching his cellphone, according to Maro, and a keyword search turned up no threats against Acton or evidence that he had been fixated on the candidate.
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But the picture has become murkier as investigators have gathered evidence.
Havas entered the tent while recording with his cellphone and began moving through the crowd toward Acton. Two people were knocked to the ground during the ensuing confrontation before Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers assigned to Acton's security detail intervened.
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And according to the prosecutor, video investigators currently possess doesn't show Havas getting particularly close to Acton.
The footage “shows him walking into the tent, recording, and moving forward, calling out her name,” Maro said. “Somebody in her security comes forward, and then his phone is either dropped or tousled, and that's all we have.”
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Here is where it gets a little weird. Maro said investigators have been told the Acton campaign asked attendees to stop recording shortly before the confrontation.
As a result, the only video investigators currently have of the critical moments was recorded by Havas himself.
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“The information we've received is that the Acton camp requested individuals stop recording shortly before this incident occurred,” Maro said.
“So, at this point, the only video we have is the defendant's. And what's that showing certainly doesn't support filing felony charges.”
1. Havas never got close to Acton, and the weapons he carried were legal and not taken out of their holster or other containment. The misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct charges stem from Havas pushing his way through the crowd.
2. The DA seems prudent enough not to overcharge when there is video evidence that would defeat an overcharge.
3. Speaking of video evidence, what's with the Acton campaign people asking attendees to shut off their video. Why limit spread by social media? Was Acton going to say or promise something she and her campaign did not want widely publicly known?
