STARK COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) – The patient accused of shooting an Aultman Hospital employee last June, was committed to Heartland Behavioral Healthcare, a mental health facility in Massillon.
In July 2025, James Fair, 36, of Canton, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Fair was indicted on one count of aggravated robbery, and two counts of felonious assault for the June 27, 2025 shooting.
Canton police said Fair became combative while under observation, resulting in a struggle with an armed security guard.
Fair allegedly gained control of the guard’s firearm and fired one round, hitting the hospital employee in the abdomen.
Aultman Health confirmed on social media the employee is in stable condition.
According to a Canton Police report, a patient, James Fair, became combative while under observation, resulting in a struggle with an armed security guard.(Stark County Jail)
Staff members managed to get the weapon away from Fair and restrain him until officers arrived, according to police.
Canton police took Fair to the Stark County Jail, where officers said he continued to act “erratically, talking to himself, yelling at no one in particular, and repeatedly banging his head against the divider.”
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