During a news conference on Sunday, officials announced that one person is in custody in connection to a fire set at the official residence of Gov. Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Cody Balmer is the suspect and will face charges including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against a specific individual, according to Pennsylvania District Attorney Fran Chardo.
In a social media statement, Shapiro revealed that his family was alerted by state police at 2 a.m. on Sunday and expressed gratitude for the authorities who assisted in evacuating them safely. He emphasized that no injuries occurred and the fire was promptly extinguished, praising the bravery of law enforcement and first responders who protect communities.
Images from the fire response depicted smoke emerging from a window of the residence, leaving soot marks on the exterior. Inside, significant damage was visible, with charred furniture near the window.
The governor, together with his wife Lori, has four children named Sophia, Jonah, Max, and Reuben. It remains unknown if the adult children were present during the incident.
Prior to the attack, Shapiro had shared Passover greetings on social media, underscoring his Jewish faith. The community expressed shock and concern over the arson, especially given the significance of the Passover holiday.
Neighbors like Beth Beene, who interact frequently with the Shapiros, were stunned by the extent of the damage and emphasized the family’s positive presence in the area. The investigation, led by multiple agencies and offering a $10,000 reward for information, has determined the incident as an arson attack.
Shapiro, a Democrat who assumed office in 2022 after serving as the state’s attorney general, was previously considered as a potential vice presidential candidate alongside Kamala Harris.
