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Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence Targeted in Suspected Arson; Man Arrested
Harrisburg, PA – A 38-year-old man has been apprehended and is expected to face charges following a suspected arson at the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. The incident, which authorities are investigating as a deliberate attack, resulted in significant damage to the state-owned property in Harrisburg. The suspect, Cody Balmer, is slated to be charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault.
Arrest Follows Overnight Fire at Governor’s Home
The arrest occurred in the hours after Governor Shapiro, often mentioned as a potential future presidential candidate, and his family were awakened in the early hours by law enforcement officials responding to the spreading blaze at their home. According to statements made at a Sunday press conference, Shapiro described feeling “obviously emotional” as he recounted the events. He confirmed that he and his family safely evacuated the premises, but their residence in the state capital sustained substantial damage.
“I Refuse to be Trapped,” Governor Shapiro Declares
“I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempted to put on me by attacking us as they did last night,” Governor Shapiro stated to reporters in the aftermath of the incident, conveying a message of resilience.
Prior to the fire, the governor and his family had been observing the first night of Passover, a significant Jewish holiday, at their home.
“When we were in the state dining room last night, we told the story of Passover,” Shapiro noted, adding that the motivations of the suspect, Balmer, remain under investigation.
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Incendiary Device Discovered; Investigation Ongoing
Police Deputy Commissioner George Bivens detailed that the suspect was found to be in possession of a homemade incendiary device at the time of his arrest in the Harrisburg vicinity.
Investigators believe the perpetrator scaled a security fence surrounding the residence to gain entry and ignite the fire. The precise circumstances and motivations behind the act are still being actively investigated by law enforcement.
Significant Damage to Residence
State officials have confirmed that the fire, which has since been extinguished, inflicted a “significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence.”
Authorities indicated that Governor Shapiro and his family were situated in a different section of the brick structure when the arson occurred.
The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire reported that their personnel worked to suppress the flames while police prioritized the safe evacuation of Governor Shapiro and his family.
Earlier, authorities had announced a $10,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest in connection with the incident. It remains unclear if a tip contributed to the apprehension of Balmer, who is currently in custody.
About the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence and Governor Shapiro
Governor Shapiro and his wife, Lori, are parents to four children: Sophia, Jonah, Max, and Reuben.
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence, located in Harrisburg, is a spacious 29,000 square-foot Georgian-style building dating back to 1968 and has served as the home for eight governors.
Josh Shapiro assumed office as Pennsylvania’s governor in 2023, following his tenure as the state’s attorney general.