UPDATE: 9:22 p.m., Sunday:
A 38-year-old Harrisburg man was arrested late Sunday afternoon after allegedly setting a fire at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping inside, officials said.
Cody Balmer was apprehended following a multi-agency investigation involving state police, Pennsylvania Capitol Police, the FBI, and Harrisburg police, officials said.
Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo told reporters that his office is preparing to file charges against Balmer. The charges will include attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person.
Shapiro, a Democrat from Montgomery County, said he and his family were unharmed in the early morning fire at the state-owned residence and public building on Front Street.
The fire caused “significant” damage to the 29,000-square-foot residence, particularly in a hall used for public events.
Just hours before the fire, Shapiro, his family, and members of the state’s Jewish community had gathered in that hall for a Passover Seder.
“We don’t know the person’s specific motive yet, but we do know a few truths. First, this type of violence is not okay,” Shapiro said. “This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society, and I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another. It’s not okay, and it has to stop.”
“If this individual was trying to deter me from doing my job as your governor, rest assured, I will find a way to work even harder than I was just yesterday for the good people of Pennsylvania,” he added.
State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer entered the residence grounds by breaching a security fence and used “homemade incendiary devices” to start the fire. He briefly entered the residence to start the fire before fleeing back over the fence as troopers searched the grounds.
“He clearly had a plan. He was very methodical in his approach, and moved through it without a lot of hurry,” Bivens said. “It all happened very quickly and he was back out.”
Shapiro said he and his family were awakened around 2 a.m. by troopers who evacuated them from the private quarters of the residence.
The governor expressed gratitude to his security detail and other emergency responders who rushed to the scene.
The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire extinguished the flames and prevented them from consuming the entire building, which was opened in 1968.
State police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris said a major case team, which is made up of multiple law enforcement agencies, is investigating the fire.
FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi have offered support to the investigation.
Investigators are treating the incident as arson.
Bivens said search warrants related to Balmer were being executed Sunday night.
Paris stated investigators believe Balmer acted alone and do not anticipate conspiracy charges.
“I feel very confident in telling you that it occurred over an extremely brief period of time, several minutes. The quick action of those troopers last night immediately shifted to the safety of the governor and his family and his extended family,” Paris said.
Paris said state police will conduct an internal review of staff, physical security measures, and safety equipment.
Speaking to reporters, Shapiro expressed confidence in his state police security detail.
The governor toured the damaged residence with law enforcement.
Images released by state officials showed the extent of damage, including melted tables, a destroyed piano, and charred walls.
Original Story:
An arsonist set fire to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence early Sunday morning.
The blaze forced Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, and his family to evacuate, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.
The fire broke out at approximately 2 a.m. at the residence on North Front Street in Harrisburg, state police said.
Shapiro, in a statement posted to Threads, said he and his family were awakened by troopers banging on their door.
“Last night at about 2 a.m., my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg,” Shapiro said.
The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze, which caused a “significant amount of damage” to a portion of the residence, state police said.
The governor and his family were in a different part of the building and were safely evacuated by Pennsylvania State Police, who were assisted by the Pennsylvania Capitol Police, authorities said.
“Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished,” Shapiro said.
“Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe,” according to the governor.
State police have determined the fire was intentionally set and are leading a multi-agency investigation.
View on Threads
A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to call 1-800-4PA-TIPS (1-800-472-8477).
Hours before the fire, the governor had posted on social media Saturday night about celebrating the first night of Passover.
The fire appears to have largely been centered on a portion of the residence, which was opened in 1968 and is 29,000 square feet, where public events are held.
The Governor’s Residence is protected by state police and capitol police, while the governor’s personal home in Montgomery County is secured by troopers.
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