Update: Police arrested a suspect, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, charging him with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated arson, burglary and terrorism, among other counts, prosecutor announced Monday, according to multiple reports.
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and his family evacuated the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg early Sunday morning after what authorities called an act of arson.
The attack took place around 2:00 a.m. (eastern time), Shapiro said in a post on X, noting that nobody was injured as firefighters extinguished the blaze. Shapiro praised state and local first responders after the incident.
“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,” Shapiro posted. “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,” Shapiro continued. “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 announced it was investigating the fire in a Sunday release.
The Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday that authorities arrested the suspect and charged him with several counts in connection to the attack, including attempted criminal homicide and terrorism.
Balmer, who lives in Harrisburg, reportedly admitted to state police as he turned himself in Sunday that he bears “hatred towards Governor Shapiro”
“While the investigation is ongoing, the State Police is prepared to say at this time that this was an act of arson,” the agency said. “There is a reward of up to $10,000 offered through PSP Tips for the arrest and conviction for the individual(s) responsible.”
Then-Vice President Kamala Harris bypassed Shapiro for Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota when selecting a runningmate in August 2024 following then-President Joe Biden’s July 21, 2024, decision to end his reelection bid.
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