Pennsylvania State Police have arrested a suspect in connection to an arson attempt on the Governor’s Residence on Sunday morning that forced Governor Josh Shapiro and his family to evacuate the home. No one was injured.
The Context
Shapiro gained national attention as one of the shortlist candidates for then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 presidential election after then-President Joe Biden stepped down. She ultimately chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, but Shapiro remained a visible and active member of the campaign team.
The Pennsylvania governor’s residence is a 29,000-square-foot Georgian-style home completed in 1968 and served as the home for eight governors and their families, according to the Pennsylvania government website.
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What To Know
Shapiro, a Democrat, said Pennsylvania State Police woke him and his family at 2 a.m. after the fire had been set.
“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,” Shapiro wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished.”
He added: “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.”
The incident occurred on the first night of Passover, which lasts from the evening April 12 until April 20. Shapiro, who is Jewish, earlier in the evening posted a picture of his family’s Seder table and wished everyone a happy Passover.
Pennsylvania State Police have opened an investigation, and by Sunday evening had a suspect in custody. The suspect, identified as Cody Balmer, jumped a fence at the Governor’s Residence, evaded troopers on site who were looking for him, then broke into the residence and set fire to the building before escaping back over the fence, according to the State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris.
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Shapiro thanked the FBI Director Kash Patel for his assistance and support and the efforts of FBI agents to quickly identify and locate the suspect in the Harrisburg area.
Paris revealed that the incident is being investigated as arson and attempted homicide. He identified Balmer as a 38-year-old resident of Harrisburg and said Balmer had homemade incendiary devices in his possession.
“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 care if it’s coming from one particular side or the other—directed at one particular party or another, or at one particular person or another: It is not okay, and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.”
Photos of the residence show damage to the roof and windows of the residence, with windows on the first floor blown out and smashed. During Sunday evening’s press conference, one room could be seen in which everything had been burned.
Earlier, Pennsylvania State Police said the fire caused “a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence,” but assured that “the Governor and his family were present in a different part of the residence” at the time of the blaze.
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What People Are Saying
Philadelphia Council Member Jamie Gauthier wrote on X: “I’m relieved to hear that Governor Shapiro and his family are safe following the disturbing fire at the Governor’s Residence, which has now been confirmed as arson. Violence of any kind—especially that threatens lives and public institutions—has no place in our commonwealth.”
She added: “I hope for swift justice and accountability as it relates to this act, and my thoughts and prayers are with the Governor, First Lady, and their children as they weather such a traumatic experience.”
The Bucks County Democrats official X page wrote: “Our thoughts are with Governor Shapiro, the First Lady and their children in the wake of an arsonist attack on the Governor’s residence early this morning. Thanks to the work of the PA State Police, Capitol Police and Harrisburg Fire Department, no one was injured.”
What Happens Next?
Pennsylvania State Police are leading “a multi-agency investigation” and have offered up to $10,000 through their PSP Tips line for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the incident.
Update, 4/13/25 at 12:25 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information, context and quotes.
Update, 4/13/25 at 2:29 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update, 4/13/25 at 6:10 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information. The headline has also been changed.
Update, 4/13/25 at 6:53 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with new photos of damage to the property.
