- Pennsylvania authorities arrested 38-year-old Cody Balmer for allegedly setting fire to the governor’s mansion while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping inside. Balmer faces charges of murder, terrorism, attempted arson and aggravated assault.
- Balmer allegedly hopped over a fence, forcibly entered the home, and set it on fire using a homemade incendiary device.
- Gov. Shapiro expressed gratitude to law enforcement and first responders for keeping his family safe.
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Pennsylvania authorities have arrested a man they said set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping inside.
Who is the suspect?
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris identified the suspect as 38-year-old Cody Balmer during a press conference on Sunday, April 13. They said is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where the governor’s mansion is located.
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Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo said prosecutors will charge Balmer with murder, terrorism, attempted arson and aggravated assault.
Authorities said Balmer hopped over a fence surrounding the property before forcibly entering the home and setting it on fire. Police investigators said he had a homemade incendiary device.
What are the details of the fire?
The fire, which broke out around 2 a.m., caused significant damage to part of the residence. There were no injuries reported, and the fire was extinguished, police said.
During Sunday’s new conference, Gov. Shapiro said he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family were inside the residence when the incident occurred.
The fire started on the first day of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Shapiro, his family and the other family had celebrated the holiday at the residence hours before the fire started. Both families were woken up by state police at 2 a.m.
Shapiro released a statement expressing his gratitude to law enforcement and first responders.
“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,” Shapiro wrote in the statement. “Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe.”
The Pennsylvania State Police are leading a multi-agency investigation into the fire.
