Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family evacuated after setting fire at Pennsylvania residence

The Pennsylvania government has arrested and charged a Harrisburg man who said it was on fire at the governor’s mansion, while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family fell asleep, forcing them to evacuate earlier Sunday, before the fire severely damaged part of the building.

The man, identified as 38-year-old Cody Balmer, jumped up after breaking into the building and managed to escape from state police. He fled the scene and was arrested after turning himself into a police officer Sunday afternoon, officials said in a news conference.

Mr. Balmer was charged with attempted murder, arson and terrorism, the Dove County District Attorney's Office said earlier Monday.

In a press conference on Sunday outside the fire mansion, Gov. Shapiro, a Democrat who gained national popularity last year on a brief list of his likely running mates for Kamala Harris, said the FBI is assisting in the investigation. The smell of smoke lingers in the air as he speaks, and the window the arsonist hit behind him turns black.

Mr Shapiro described the misery of his family, recalling the moment a state policeman crashed into his home shortly after 2 a.m., awakened him, his wife and his children, and drove them to safety. He said the attack had been “targeted.”

“Last night, we were attacked, not only on our families, but across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. “I hope you all know that your prayers cheer us up and in the dark moments we choose to see the light.”

Although police did not disclose the motive, they detailed the attack in an affidavit filed against Mr. Balmer earlier on Monday. According to the District Attorney's Office, Mr. Balmer illegally entered the ground of the state residence, broke the window with a hammer, and threw an object inside, and started the fire. Then he entered the building and at least caught fire. Investigators took back two Heineken bottles from broken glass beer bottles, all filled with gasoline.

Pennsylvania soldiers admitted to the fire when they interviewed Mr. Balmer later Sunday.

Pennsylvania police also found a coat in a house near Mr. Balmer, matching the surveillance video of the attack, the District Attorney's Office said.

In the briefing, Mr Shapiro said he had spoken with FBI Director Kash Patel. “He assured all the resources of the federal government to all the resources of the federal government,” Mr Shapiro said, thanking the FBI and President Mr Patel for their support.

Mr. Shapiro helped oversee law enforcement's response to Butler's Pennsylvania's assassination attempt to President Trump also condemned sulfuric acid in American politics.

“This kind of violence is not OK,” Mr Shapiro said. “I wouldn't die if it was from one particular side or the other. That doesn't work.”

State police said in a statement that the fire “caused a huge damage to a part of the residence.”

Mr Shapiro noted that the attack took place on the first night of Passover, one of the most sacred holidays, and other members of the local Jewish community have been celebrating with him and his family at the state restaurant. “No one will stop me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly or proudly,” he said.

Law enforcement officers described a chaotic scene on the mansion in the early morning. Once state police are aware of the property’s security breach, they start looking for intruders. But in a few minutes Mr. Balmer was able to break in, set fire and escape to the fence he had scaled.

Bryan Flores, 37, a neighbor across the street from the residence said he woke up shortly after 2 a.m. and saw a lot of reactions from police and firefighters outside. He said he “wakes up, sirens and flashing lights” and added that the incident appeared to be under control at the time.

Mr. Shapiro served as state attorney general for six years before being elected governor in 2022, at least previously a threatening target. In November 2023, police arrested a man who said they sent him a threatening email, according to a report from the Pennsylvania State Police Department. It is not clear whether the man was charged with the incident.

According to the state government, the governor's residence is a 29,000-square-foot Georgian-style building that was completed in 1968. Its landscaped ground occupies an entire block about a mile and a half from the State Capitol building.

The public was able to visit the residence, which was displayed on the first floor with artworks and artifacts.

Polls show that recent violence against politicians has caused fear and uneasiness among Americans recently. Before last year's presidential election, about four in 10 voters said they were extremely or very worried about violent attempts to challenge the outcome. Last summer, an assassination attempt against Mr. Trump took place 200 miles west of Harrisburg.

Other serious incidents include the 2020 kidnapping of Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan, and the 2023 invasion and attack at Nancy Pelosi's home that seriously hurt former House Speaker Paul.

Despite the increasing intensity and polarization of American politics in recent years, research shows that despite a few episodes that have attracted widespread attention and alarm, the violence of extremism in the United States has actually declined. Scholars who study the issue say the political climate has not become more extensive.

Campbell Robertson,,,,, Amanda Holpuch Allison Beck contributed the report. Susan C. Beachy Contributed to the research.