By CHRISTINA LENGYEL

The Center Square

HARRISBURG Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family are safe but shaken after the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg was targeted by an arsonist early this morning.

Pennsylvania State Police and Harrisburg District Attorney Fran Chardo announced that they have a suspect, 38-year-old Cody Balmer of Harrisburg, in custody.

The suspect was able to enter the grounds by jumping over a fence at around 2:00 a.m. While Pennsylvania State Police searched for the suspect, he was able to break in and use homemade incendiary devices to ignite a fire in the dining room of the residence where the family had celebrated Passover during the evening.

Though no one was hurt, the fire caused extensive damage to the historic Front Street mansion. Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris said that the crime scene had been processed and released. Physical evidence is currently being analyzed for what appears to be aggravated arson and attempted homicide.

‘Last night we experienced an attack not just on our family but on the entire commonwealth of Pennsylvania here at the Governor’s Residence,’ said Shapiro, whose wife, children, two dogs, and extended family were quickly evacuated from the property.

Shapiro said that he had spoken with Federal Bureau of Investigations Director Kash Patel who promised all of the resources of the federal government. He noted that Patel had been ‘extremely kind, courteous, and thoughtful.’ Shapiro also thanked the president, though not by name.

‘This type of violence is not okay. 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 another,’ said Shapiro forcefully. ‘We have a responsibility to all be better.’

Shapiro did not speak to the suspect’s motivation for starting the fire, though District Attorney Fran Chardo The report says that Balmer knew that it was possible the governor and his family were home and knew that he was endangering lives. Balmer said that if he had encountered the governor himself during the course of the attack, he would have ‘beaten him with his hammer.’

Balmer has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and related offenses. In the charge of terrorism, it’s noted that Balmer committed a ‘violent offense intending to affect the conduct of a government,’ though to what end remains to be seen. The report says that Balmer admitted to ‘harboring hatred’ for Shapiro.

Shapiro, his wife, children, extended family, and two dogs were all in the residence at the time of the fire, having earlier celebrated the Passover seder. They were awoken by state police and safely evacuated.

Pennsylvania State Police announced Monday that Balmer is being hospitalized for a medical issue unrelated to the incident or his arrest.

According to the affidavit, Balmer confessed to his ex-partner, asking her to report his crime before turning himself in to law enforcement. He then told police where to locate evidence including the jacket he wore, a gas can, and the hammer he used to enter the residence.

The report details a rapid series of events during which Balmer allegedly climbed the fence into the grounds. Surveillance showed the defendant breaking a window with a hammer and throwing a Molotov cocktail made with gasoline and a Heineken bottle into the residence. He then broke another window, through which he entered and lit two more Molotov cocktails before exiting through a fire door and back over the fence.

Police matched the Snap-On jacket he led them to, which they said had distinctive shoulder patches, to the jacket worn by the assailant in surveillance footage. The police also found discarded gloves, one yellow and one orange, matching the footage and smelling of gasoline, along the defendant’s path. Balmer’s social media presence reveals a mix of family images and political statements without a clear ideological perspective. Additionally, a residence on Canby Street in Penbrook was seized from a Cody Balmer and sold by the Sheriff of Dauphin County in May of last year.

The governor chose to focus his attention on the prayers and kind words coming from around the state and country from both government officials and members of the public.

‘In this moment of darkness, we are choosing to see light, and we appreciate the light that you have shined upon us,’ said Shapiro.

To that end, Pennsylvania GOP Chairman Greg Rothman issued a statement saying, ‘I know I speak for all Republicans in saying we are grateful that Governor Shapiro, his family, and mansion staff are safe.’

‘There is no place for violence, arson, and the destruction of property in our society,’ added Rothman.

Due to the timing of the crime and the surge in antisemitic rhetoric nationally, some are speculating that the incident was a hate crime.

‘No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly,’ said Shapiro, who noted the Passover story of escape from bondage was an especially important one to tell today.

Shapiro said that while his current focus was on ensuring that his wife and children were okay, he ‘would not be deterred’ from his work as governor. He expressed his thanks to his security detail, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Harrisburg Fire Department, the district attorney, and all other agencies assisting with the investigation and his family’s security.

Fire damage at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg on Sunday.

Commonwealth Media Services