A suspect will be charged with attempted murder and terrorism offenses after an overnight fire at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg forced Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family to evacuate on Sunday, officials said.
Officials said Cody Balmer, 38, hopped a fence and intentionally set a fire at the Governor’s Residence early Sunday morning while Shapiro and his family were home. Balmer, of Harrisburg, is set to be charged with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and more, officials said. He was taken into custody on Sunday in the Harrisburg area.
Shapiro said the attack was targeted, but officials don’t know Balmer’s specific motive yet.
“This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society,” Shapiro said. “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 is not OK, and it has to stop. We have to be better than this. We have a responsibility to all be better.”
State police said crews from the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire went to the Governor’s Residence on North Front Street in Dauphin County around 2 a.m. Sunday for a report of a fire.
Shapiro said that he and his family were asleep at the home when the fire broke out. The Pennsylvania governor said they woke up to bangs on the door by the Pennsylvania State Police. Shapiro, his wife, Lori, and his children, along with two dogs and the relatives staying with them, evacuated the Governor’s Residence as Harrisburg fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.
The Pennsylvania governor said that no one was injured and the fire was brought under control.
The fire happened after Shapiro, who is Jewish, and his family celebrated the first night of Passover. Shapiro declined to call the fire a hate crime, but said that the blaze won’t deter him from doing his job or celebrating his faith.
“I’m not fearful,” Shapiro said. “I’m obviously emotional. I’m worried about my family. I want my kids to be OK. When we were in the State Dining Room last night, gathered with the community and family and friends, we told the story of Passover, and it’s a story of going from bondage, from slavery into freedom. I think it’s an important story, both literally and figuratively, to tell, and I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us, as they did here last night. I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love, stop me from being a leader of this commonwealth and looking out for all Pennsylvanians. I will not be deterred in my work, and I will not be afraid to do that work.”
Pennsylvania State Police Troop H is investigating the fire, which they said caused significant damage to a portion of the home. The agency is offering a $10,000 reward through PSP Tips for an arrest and conviction in the investigation.
State police encourages anyone with information related to the fire to call 1-800-4PA TIPS (1-800-472-8477).
The Governor’s Residence was built on the Susquehanna River and is described as a 29,000-square-foot Georgian-style home designed by architect George Ewing.
The home has housed eight governors and their families, according to the state’s website.
Shapiro spoke with FBI Director Kash Patel and said he promised all the resources necessary for the investigation.
“Lori and I are overwhelmed by the prayers and the messages of support that we’ve received from all across Pennsylvania and all across the United States,” Shapiro said. “We’ve heard from our fellow governors and first spouses. We’ve heard from several of the former governors of Pennsylvania. Heard from so many friends and loved ones. We’ve heard from so many caring citizens of this great commonwealth. I want you all to know that your prayers lift us up, and in this moment of darkness, we are choosing to see light. We appreciate the light that you have shined upon us.”
Who is Cody Balmer, and how did he enter the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence?
Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said that Balmer climbed over a fence and “evaded troopers” while they were searching for him on the property before the fire.
Bivens said that Balmer broke into the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence and set the fire with a homemade incendiary device.
It’s unclear if Balmer knew the layout of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence, but he was inside the property for less than one minute, according to Bivens.
“That’s all part of the ongoing investigation. In terms of the layout, I will tell you that he clearly had a plan,” Bivens said. “He was very methodical in his approach and moved through it without a lot of hurry, again, in a very methodical, planned manner, and carried it out, although in a very short period of time.”
A security review is currently underway to find out how Balmer was able to enter the property. There will also be extra security around Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence following the fire, officials said.
Pennsylvania leaders respond after Governor’s Residence fire
Leaders from the commonwealth and surrounding areas posted statements on social media about the fire, the Shapiro family’s safety and the emergency crews’ response.
In a statement, Attorney General Dave Sunday praised the first responders for their quick actions and said his office “stands ready with any resources needed to find the culprit of this senseless act of violence.”
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge posted on social media that he and his wife are thankful the Shapiro family made it out safely, saying, “The images showing the damage to the home we lived in with our children for nearly eight years are heartbreaking.” Another former commonwealth leader, Gov. Mark Schweiker, called the fire, which state police are investigating as arson, a “despicable act of cowardice.”
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis posted his sentiments on social media, writing in part, “I won’t speculate on motivations, but I will say that targeting elected officials and their family members with violence is never acceptable.”
Democratic Speaker of the Pennsylvania House Rep. Joanna McClinton said in part, “cowardly acts of violence meant to stoke fear have no place in our commonwealth.”
New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim additionally condemned the fire, writing, “violence can never be tolerated.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.