A 38-year-old Harrisburg man is facing attempted murder and arson charges in a blaze that significantly damaged the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion early Sunday morning, hours after the family celebrated the first night of Passover.
At a press conference Sunday evening, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania State Police officials announced Cody Balmer was taken into custody in Harrisburg and he will be arraigned Sunday on charges involving the fire that caused “significant” damage to the home.
Among the charges Balmer faces are terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault, officials said.
Shapiro and his family were in different area of the residence when the fire broke out around 2 a.m. and were able to evacuate safely, the news release states. They were not injured.
State police officials said that Balmer jumped a fence around the mansion, near where the press conference Sunday was held, and broke into the mansion where he set off at least one homemade incendary device, then left the scene.
Authorities knew security was breached and they were looking for the man when he set the blaze, an official said. Balmer was in the governor’s mansion for roughly one minute, an official said.
“It was a very quick event,” a state police official said.
Shapiro, at an afternoon news conference, said he was not fearful but concerned for his family. He would not say if he considered it a hate crime, saying he would leave that determination to the investigating authorities.
The governor and his family are Jewish and celebrated Passover Seder on Saturday night at the residence hours before the fire.
The Bucks County Human Relations Council put out a message Sunday expressing distress over the news of the arson attack during Passover, a high holiday in the Jewish faith.
Pennsylvania State Police, who are investigating the fire, have not commented on a motive.
“Thank you to the first responders for keeping Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania’s First Family safe, the statement read. “
Firefighters responded around 2 a.m. to the residence on North Front Street in Harrisburg for a report of a fire, the release states. No injuries were reported, but police announced early Sunday that they believed the fire was intentionally set.
A reward of up to $10,000 was being offered through PSP Tips for the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the fire. Anyone with information may call 1-800-4PA TIPS (1-800-472-8477), the release states.
Governor Josh Shapiro issues statement after fire
Shapiro issued the following statement this morning:
“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.
“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. 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. Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe.
“PA State Police is on the scene leading this investigation and will keep the public updated.”
Who is Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro?
In 2004, Shapiro won his first Pennsylvania House of Representatives race in the 153rd District in Montgomery County. He grew up in Abington and still maintains a home there with his wife and their children.
He held this seat from 2005 to 2011, serving on appropriations, finance, insurance, judiciary and state government committees.
Shapiro shifted gears in 2012, winning a Montgomery County commissioner seat.
He would later serve as Pennsylvania’s Attorney General and last year was considered for the vice presidential post running with Kamala Harris.
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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Gov. Josh Shapiro at PA governors mansion during arson attack; arrest