Man Sets Fire to PA Governor’s Residence Hours after Passover Photo Shared on X
Pennsylvania police arrested a 38-year-old man, who has since been charged with attempting to set an arson attack on Governor Josh Shapiro's residence. The suspect, identified as Cody Balmer from Harrisburg, was taken into custody and will face attempted homicide and aggravated arson charges, Reuters reported.
"Last night at about 2 AM, 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 wrote on X.
"The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene, and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police," he added. "Thank God no one was injured, and the fire was extinguished."
"Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities," the governor said. "Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe."
Last night at about 2AM, 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.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 13, 2025
The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene and while they worked to put out the fire, we were…
Shapiro also addressed the incident at a press conference on Sunday afternoon.
"This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society," he 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 okay, and it has to stop. We have to be better than this."
Last night at the Governor’s Residence, we experienced an attack not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 13, 2025
This kind of violence has become far too common in our society, and it has to stop. pic.twitter.com/5HP5JSvgfc
Balmer managed to elude state troopers long enough to enter the residence after hopping through a fence so he could set it on fire and leave, according to authorities.
During the press conference, Shapiro shared that he spoke with FBI Director Kash Patel and promised "all the resources of the federal government" to investigate the attack. Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said that she is "deeply relieved" that the governor and his family are safe, and thanked first responders and commended the police for arresting the suspect.
I am deeply relieved that Governor Shapiro and his family are safe, thankful for the first responders who arrived on the scene, and applaud the police work that resulted in an arrest just hours ago. https://t.co/OnJALXmpvU
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) April 13, 2025
The incident came after Shapiro posted a picture of his family's "seder" table as they celebrated the first night of Passover.
"I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us as they did here last night," he said on Sunday. The governor added that he and his family will hold a second seder on Sunday night.
From the Shapiro family's Seder table to yours, happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach! pic.twitter.com/2II1Id1W23
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 12, 2025
Photo Credit: ©X/GovenorShapiro
Originally published April 14, 2025.
