Harrisburg man to be charged with attempted murder of Gov. Josh Shapiro for setting fire to official residence

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A man is in custody for arson and the attempted murder of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family at the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, state police said Sunday.

During the first night of Passover, Shapiro said he and his family were awoken by state police banging on the door and were evacuated from the residence. No injuries were reported and the fire was extinguished.

Shapiro said he was “overwhelmed by the prayers” he and first lady, Lori Shapiro, and their four children had been receiving across the commonwealth and the country.

“I want you all to know that your prayers lift us up,” Shapiro said. “And in this moment of darkness, we are choosing to see light. And we appreciate the light that you have shined upon us.”

Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, was taken into custody Sunday. Harrisburg District Attorney Francis Chardo said his office plans to charge him with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. Chardo noted that federal charges could also be pursued.

“We have the FBI involved,” Chardo said. “There’ll be a review of that by the U.S. Attorney, a decision will be made. … It may be both, but we always look at [that] to determine where we can get the best justice.”

Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer broke onto the property through a patched-up part of a fence and “actively evaded troopers” who were trying to locate him on the property.

“While they were searching, is when he attacked at the residence, broke in and set the fires,” Bivens said. “That was all playing out over a period of several minutes.”

Shapiro, who is seen as a frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic nominee for president, sharply condemned the attack on his family saying, “This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society.”

“I don’t give it 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 OK and it has to stop,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro said if the attack was meant “to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community,” that it will not prevent them from continuing to celebrate Passover.

“When we were in the state dining room last night gathered with the community and family and friends, we told the story of Passover,” Shapiro said. “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.”

Authorities are conducting a “security review” of the governor’s official residence. The FBI and an “increased security presence” will remain on site.