Suspect Arrested After Arson Attack at Governor Shapiro’s Residence During Passover Celebration
Harrisburg, PA — A man was arrested Sunday after breaking into Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence in the early hours and setting a fire that forced the governor, his family, and guests to flee the home. Authorities confirmed the fire caused significant damage but, thankfully, no injuries were reported.
The suspect, identified as Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, faces multiple serious charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault.
Governor Shapiro, his wife, four children, two dogs, and a visiting family had just finished celebrating Passover when they were awoken around 2 a.m. by state troopers pounding on their doors, urging them to evacuate.
“I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us,” said an emotional Shapiro at a press conference later that day. “If [this person] was trying to stop me from doing my job, then I’ll just work harder.”
Authorities say Balmer scaled a 7-foot-high iron fence, evaded officers on the premises, and managed to enter the governor’s mansion. He was reportedly inside for less than a minute, during which time he used a homemade incendiary device to ignite the fire. The blaze began in the very room where the Passover Seder was held hours earlier.
Lt. Col. George Bivens confirmed that the suspect appeared to have carefully planned the attack. Balmer was arrested later in the day near the scene.
The fire tore through the mansion’s south wing, destroying one of the main entertaining spaces. Large windows were blown out, and charred debris—including a burned piano and metal buffet dishes—could be seen inside through broken doors and fire-blackened walls.
State and federal investigators, including from the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire, FBI, and DOJ, were seen combing the site. A portion of the fence was removed as evidence and taken away wrapped in black plastic.
While the motive remains unclear, Shapiro took a firm stand against violence, regardless of political affiliation:
“This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society,” he said. “It is not OK. And it has to stop. We have to be better than this.”
Shapiro received an outpouring of support from fellow leaders and political figures:
- Vice President JD Vance condemned the “disgusting violence,” expressing relief that the Shapiro family was unharmed.
- Former Gov. Mark Schweiker called the attack a “despicable act of cowardice.”
- Former Gov. Tom Ridge described the images of the damage as “heartbreaking” and said the perpetrator must be “held to account.”
Shapiro, who is seen as a potential Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential race, has split time between the governor’s mansion and his family’s home in Abington, about 100 miles east.
As the investigation continues, officials are calling the incident a deeply troubling breach of security and an attack on public service itself.
Source: AP News – Suspect arrested in arson fire that forced Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, family to flee residence
