Arrest made in arson fire at governor’s residence

Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were evacuated around 2 a.m. Sunday.

Hours after allegedly jumping a fence, breaking into the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and family and setting it on fire, a Harrisburg man has been placed under arrest.

Shapiro and members of his immediate and extended family were evacuated abruptly after a fire broke out at the home around 2 a.m. Sunday.

Police waited only a few hours before ruling it an arson.

Sunday afternoon, as prayers and messages of concern were expressed to Shapiro and his family, a press conference was held announcing that Cody Balmer, 38, had been taken into custody.

Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo said charges will include attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person.

Chardo said an affidavit being prepared Sunday would provide more details about what led to Balmer’s arrest, as well as the timeline of incidents that led up to the fire.

“Well, it’s (the affidavit) is going to speak for itself,” Chardo said. “… entered it (the residence) surreptitious-ly, and not far from here, he came over a fence, I will tell you that.”

Investigators say Shapiro’s security had been informed of a potential breach and had started to investigate when Balmer entered the home and set the fires using homemade accelerant devices before leaving the house and fleeing the scene the same way he entered.

They add that everything happened over the course of a few minutes.

The fire started overnight on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which Shapiro and his family had celebrated at the governor’s official residence in the state capital.

“At approximately two o’clock in the morning, while my family and I were asleep upstairs here at the governor’s residence, one of the state troopers assigned to our detail banged on our door, woke us up and told us we had an emergency and needed to leave immediately,” Shapiro said. “Together, we secured all of our children, our two dogs, our family that was staying with us, and the troopers safely evacuated us from the governor’s residence. Last night, we experienced an attack, not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

State Police Col. Christopher Paris said the investigation has been fast paced and comprehensive with partners at the state, federal and municipal levels.

“This is still very much very early in a very active and dynamic investigation, and I can tell you that we’re pursuing any and all leads,” Paris said. “We have processed the crime scene and released it just recently, you will see imminently how large and complex of a scene that it is.

“Physical evidence has been gathered and is in the process of being forensically analyzed, both at the state police crime laboratories and also the Cumberland County Crime Laboratory, and I’d like to mention them specifically, as the governor stated, the work done by Harrisburg fire department was absolutely instrumental in preventing any loss of life last evening.”

Images of the fire shared by the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire Station #2 Kings of the Hill show first responders working to put out the blaze, which caused a “significant amount of damage” to a portion of the residence, where he and his family celebrated their faith just the night before.

Shapiro and his family had been in a different part of the residence when the fire broke out and no injuries were reported.

Attorney General Dave Sunday made a statement on social media following the fire.

“I’m relieved Gov. Shapiro and his family are safe after an arsonist set fire to the Governor’s Residence overnight,” he wrote. “I join all Pennsylvanians in praying for the Shapiro family following this criminal act. … The Office of the Attorney General stands ready with any resources needed to find the culprit of this senseless act of violence.”

Chardo said in addition to the charges filed Sunday, Balmer could be federally prosecuted.

“He may face both, they’re separate sovereigns, and we’re going to pursue, make a decision on that, and it may be both, but we always look to determine where we can get the best justice,” Chardo said.

Increased security measures have been implemented, and Shapiro said he has confidence and no concerns when it comes to the protection being provided by PSP for him and his family.

In addition to a full investigation, a security review will be completed to determine how future situations can be avoided, including looking at personnel, technology, equipment, surveillance and equipment.

“I have total confidence in the Pennsylvania State Police to keep us safe,” Shapiro said.

Prayers lifted up

“Lori and I are overwhelmed with the prayers and messages of support we have received from across Pennsylvania and all across the United States,” Shapiro said. “I want you all to know that your prayers lift us up, and in this moment of darkness, we are choosing to see light.”

For the governor, the reasons behind the attack aren’t important right now.

Support is coming from across the country, and he said there are a lot of people to thank — including first responders across all departments and others who have called the governor’s residence home.

Former Gov. Mark Schweiker said, “This morning’s arson attack at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence, which threatened the lives of Gov. Shapiro and his family, is a despicable act of cowardice. Kathy and I hope all Pennsylvanians will join us in keeping Josh, Lori and their family in their prayers.

“We thank the firefighters who bravely responded to the fire, as well as the Pennsylvania State Police and all law enforcement for their ongoing efforts to bring the coward who attacked the People’s House to justice.”

Leaders from across the state took to social media to express their concern.

Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, said she’s happy that Shapiro and his family are OK.

“Thank goodness Governor Shapiro and his family and others inside the governors residence were not injured,” Bartolotta wrote. “This is such a despicable act, if it does turn out to be arson. We all must condemn any act of violence against others, especially elected officials who you just happen to disagree with. It is revolting and unacceptable.

“Again, I am very grateful that the governor, his family and other individuals inside the residence when the fire broke out, were unharmed. The Governor’s family celebrated a beautiful passover meal last night and all of us should be mindful that we are all God’s children, and that we can disagree about many issues, but never, ever, should it come to any act of violence against another.”

State Senate Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Greensburg, also shared her thoughts online.

“The most important thing is Gov. Shapiro and his family are safe and healthy,” she said. “I am grateful for the work of our firefighters and law enforcement agencies for their quick response to this tragic incident, and will review the investigation details once complete.”

Sen. Nick Pisciottano, DWest Mifflin, also expressed his concern and gratefulness to first responders.

“Glad to hear everyone is safe,” Pisciottano stated, “and grateful for PA State Police, Harrisburg fire fighters and all first responders for running towards the danger to keep the rest of us safe.”

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party said it is “heartbroken” by the news.

We’re heartbroken to learn about the arson at the Governor’s Residence,” it stated online. “No family should ever have to wake up to that kind of fear, especially just hours after celebrating the first night of Passover. We’re deeply grateful that Governor Shapiro and his family are safe.

Pittsburgh City Council member Erika Strassburger, D-Squirrel Hill, commented on Facebook: “Very glad to hear Governor Shapiro and his family are safe. The targeting of elected officials with increasingly frequent and scary threats we now see is never okay, but to do this to a Jewish elected official and his family on the first night of Passover is a sign of a deeper sickness in our country right now.

“Although a motive is not yet known, I find all of this unacceptable.”

Doing better

Shapiro said while he’s emotional following the attack, he is not afraid.

During a difficult time, he only wants to continue to show up for his family and constituents.

“We do know that this attack was targeted,” Shapiro said. “We don’t know the person’s specific motive yet, but we do know a few truths. First, 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 the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another.

“It is not okay, and it has to stop. We have to be better than this. We have a responsibility to be better.”

StopAntiSemitism, a national watchdog organization, said on social media: “Jewish Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home was set on fire by arsonists on the first night of Passover. Is this what it means to be Jewish in America now?”

Shapiro said regardless of the intent, he has a job to continue to do.

It’s a responsibility he doesn’t plan to shy away from — and he won’t ever step away from his faith or family in the face of adversity.

“If this individual was trying to deter me from doing my job as your governor, rest assured, I will find a way to work even harder than I was just yesterday for the good people of Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. “If he was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community, who joined us for a Passover Seder in that room last night, hear me on this: we celebrated our faith last night proudly, and in a few hours, we will celebrate our second Seder of Passover again proudly. No one will deter me or my family, or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly.

“I am grateful to the good people of Pennsylvania for giving me the honor to serve as their 48th governor. I will continue to pour every ounce of my being into this work.”

His family has pulled together, solidifying their support for each other in what has been a traumatizing time.

“I am not fearful, I am emotional,” Shapiro said. “I’m worried about my family. I want my kids to be okay. When we were in the State Dining Room last night, gathered with the community and family and friends, we told the story of Passover, and it’s a story of going from bondage, from slavery into freedom. I think it’s an important story, both literally and figuratively, to tell, and I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us, as they did here last night.

“I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love. (To) stop me from being a leader of this commonwealth and looking out for all Pennsylvanians. I will not be deterred in my work, and I will not be afraid to do that work.”

It still all comes down to family.

“I just want to be a good husband, and a good father,” he said. “I trust that Lori and I will make sure our kids get through this well, listen to them, be there for their emotional needs, be there for their mental health support, for our mental health support. (We will) make sure that everybody is able to get through this and continue on with our lives. Me doing the important work I’m doing. My wife, our First Lady, doing the important work she is doing. And our kids just being kids.”