A suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the fire that occurred overnight at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence, which is currently under investigation as an arson case, as announced by the Pennsylvania State Police in a press conference on Sunday. Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were present in the residence when the fire broke out around 2 a.m. Eastern Time. They were safely evacuated without any injuries, according to the state police.
During the press conference, Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo identified the suspect as 38-year-old Cody Balmer from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against a specific individual, are expected to be filed on Sunday.
The incident at the governor’s official residence in Harrisburg on Sunday, April 13, 2025, was captured by investigators in a photo. Governor Shapiro expressed that the attack was deliberate and condemned such acts of violence, emphasizing that it is unacceptable regardless of political affiliation.
An official briefed on the investigation mentioned that the motive behind the attack could be linked to Governor Shapiro’s Jewish heritage, considering the fire was set on the first night of Passover. The governor had shared a photo of his family’s Passover Seder table hours before the incident, extending festive greetings.
Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police provided details of the attack, stating that the suspect breached the property, evaded troopers, and set the fires while they were in pursuit. Despite the damage caused to part of the residence, no injuries were reported, and the fire was successfully extinguished with the assistance of the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire.
Governor Shapiro assured that the incident would not deter him from openly and proudly celebrating his faith, addressing the suspect’s attempt to instill fear in his family and friends. The state police affirmed that the incident was indeed an act of arson, and investigations are ongoing.
Shapiro, who assumed office as Pennsylvania governor in 2022, had previously been considered for the position of vice president by the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Before his governorship, Shapiro had served two terms as the state’s attorney general.
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