A suspect will face attempted murder and terrorism charges after an overnight fire at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg forced Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family to flee on Sunday, according to officials.
Cody Balmer, 38, allegedly jumped a fence and purposefully set fire to the Governor’s Residence early Sunday morning while Shapiro and his family were present.
Balmer, of Harrisburg, is expected to face charges including attempted murder, terrorism, and aggravated arson, according to officials. He was arrested on Sunday in the Harrisburg area.
According to Shapiro, the attack was targeted, but officials do not yet know what Balmer’s motive was.
“This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society,” she said. “And I don’t care if it’s coming from one side or the other, directed at one party or another, or one person or another; it’s not acceptable, and it must stop. We need to be better than this. “We all have a responsibility to be better.”
Balmer’s mother, Christie Balmer, told CBS News that her son is “mentally ill and went off his medication.”
Christie Balmer said she tried to get her son “picked up” last week and contacted four different police departments, but “couldn’t get anybody to help.” So he was mentally ill, went off his medication, and this happened.”
According to state police, crews from the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded to a fire call at the Governor’s Residence on North Front Street in Dauphin County around 2 a.m. on Sunday.
Shapiro stated that he and his family were sleeping in their home when the fire broke out. The Pennsylvania governor stated that they awoke to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police.
Shapiro, his wife, Lori, and their children, as well as two dogs and relatives who were staying with them, evacuated the Governor’s Residence while Harrisburg firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.
The governor of Pennsylvania stated that no one was injured and that the fire had been brought under control.
The fire broke out after Shapiro, who is Jewish, and his family celebrated the first night of Passover. Shapiro declined to call the fire a hate crime, but stated that it will not prevent him from performing his duties or celebrating his faith.
“I’m not afraid,” Shapiro stated. “I am obviously emotional. I am worried about my family. I want my kids to be okay. When we gathered in the State Dining Room last night with the community, family, and friends, we told the Passover story, which is about breaking free from bondage, slavery, and into freedom.
I believe it is an important story to tell, both literally and figuratively, and I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone tries to impose on me by attacking us, as they did last night.
I refuse to let anyone with such evil intentions prevent me from doing the work I enjoy, from serving as a leader in this Commonwealth, and from looking out for all Pennsylvanians. I will not be deterred from my work, nor will I be afraid to do it.”
Pennsylvania State Police Troop H is investigating the fire, which they say caused extensive damage to a portion of the house. The agency is offering a $10,000 reward through PSP Tips for any arrests and convictions in the investigation.
State police urge anyone with information about the fire to call 1-800-4PA TIPS (1-800-472-8477).
The Governor’s Residence, built on the Susquehanna River, is a 29,000-square-foot Georgian-style home designed by architect George Ewing.
According to the state website, the home has housed eight governors and their families.
Shapiro spoke with FBI Director Kash Patel, who promised to provide all necessary resources for the investigation.
“Lori and I are overwhelmed by the prayers and the messages of support that we’ve received from all across Pennsylvania and all across the United States,” a tearful Shapiro said. “We have heard from our fellow governors and first spouses.
We’ve heard from several former governors of Pennsylvania. I heard from so many friends and loved ones. We’ve heard from so many concerned citizens of this great Commonwealth.
I want you to know that your prayers lift us up, and in this time of darkness, we choose to see light. We appreciate the light you’ve shone on us.
Who is Cody Balmer, and how did he enter the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence?Â
According to Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens, Balmer climbed over a fence and “evaded troopers” who were searching for him on the property prior to the fire.
According to Bivens, Balmer broke into the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence and started a fire with a homemade incendiary device.
It is unclear whether Balmer was familiar with the layout of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence, but he was inside for less than a minute, according to Bivens.
“This is all part of the ongoing investigation. In terms of layout, I’ll tell you that he clearly had a plan,” Bivens explained. “He was very methodical in his approach and moved through it without a lot of hurry, again, in a very methodical, planned manner, and carried it out, although in a very short period of time.”
A security investigation is currently underway to determine how Balmer was able to enter and then leave the property after allegedly starting the fire. Following the incident, officials plan to increase security around Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence.
Pennsylvania leaders respond after Governor’s Residence fire
Leaders from the Commonwealth and surrounding areas issued statements on social media regarding the fire, the Shapiro family’s safety, and the emergency crews’ response.
In a statement, Attorney General Dave Sunday praised first responders for their quick actions and said his office “stands ready with any resources needed to find the perpetrator of this senseless act of violence.”
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge expressed gratitude to the Shapiro family for making it out safely on social media, writing, “The images showing the damage to the home we lived in with our children for nearly eight years are heartbreaking.”
Gov. Mark Schweiker, another former commonwealth leader, described the fire as a “despicable act of cowardice.” State police are investigating the incident as arson.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis expressed his views on social media, writing, “I won’t speculate on motivations, but I will say that targeting elected officials and their family members with violence is never acceptable.”
Rep. Joanna McClinton, the Democratic Speaker of the Pennsylvania House, stated, “Cowardly acts of violence meant to stoke fear have no place in our commonwealth.”
New Jersey Senator Andy Kim also condemned the fire, writing, “Violence can never be tolerated.”
Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson said in a statement, “On behalf of all of the members of Philadelphia City Council, we are all happy that Governor Josh Shapiro and his family are safe after the heinous act of arson.”