A suspect is in custody in connection with the fire overnight in the governor’s residence in Pennsylvania, which is being investigated as arson, Pennsylvania State Police announced during a press conference on Sunday.
The Government Josh Shapiro and his family were in the home of the fire, which was reported around 10am. 02.00. They were evacuated safely and were not injured, according to the state police.
The suspect was identified as 38-year-old Cody Balmer from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County when Fran Chardo said during the press conference.
Investigators are on stage after a fire overnight on the governor’s official stay on Sunday, April 13, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
Marc Levy/AP
Chardo said charges to be filed on Sunday will include murder attempts, terrorism, worsening arson and worsening assaults against an enumerated person.
Shapiro said during the press conference that the attack was “targeted.”
“We know this attack was targeted … This type of violence is not okay,” said the governor. “And I don’t give a damn if it comes from one side or the other, aimed at one or the other party,” he added.
A senior law enforcement officer informed about the investigation told ABC News earlier Sunday that the authorities are investigating whether the attack could have been driven by the fact that head of government Shapiro is Jewish and Blaze was put on the first night of Easter.
Just hours before the fire, the Pennsylvania Governor had sent a photo of his family’s Easter’s Easter table on X, Writing, “From Shapiro -Family Seder Table to Your, Happy Pathsover and Chag Pesach Sheach!”
Shapiro approached the possible motive during the conference and said of the suspect, “If he tried to terrorize my family, my friends … hear me about this, we celebrated our faith proudly, no one will discourage me from celebrating my faith openly and proud.”
Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during a news conference on the shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. Saturday, February 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Matt Rourke/AP
Pennsylvania State Police, Colonel George Bive’s detailed the alleged attack and said the suspect came over a fence and actively avoided troops while searching for him on the property.
While searching, the suspect broke in and set fires, according to the bees, who said the incident played “over a period of several minutes.”
Earlier Sunday, Shapiro said in a statement, “My family and I woke up to hangers on the door of the Pennsylvania State Police after a fire foundation set fire to the governor’s residence in Harrisburg. The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on stage and while working to put the fire out, we were evacuated by the residence of the Pensylvania State Police. Capit Capit Police. ”
“Thank God nobody was injured and the fire was extinguished,” he added.
The state police said that while the investigation continues, “the state police are prepared to say at this time that this was a arson.”
The fire caused “a significant amount of damage” to part of the dwelling, according to the state police.
Shapiro was elected to Pennsylvania Governor in 2022 and was considered Vice President of 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris before eventually elected Minnesota government Tim Walz. Shapiro served two election periods as the state lawyer before he was elected governor.
