Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were forced to evacuate their official residence at 2 AM Sunday after an arsonist set fire to the historic building, causing significant damage while the family slept.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania State Police confirmed the fire at Governor Shapiro’s residence was an act of arson, with the attacker still at large.
- The incident occurred during the first night of Passover, with the Shapiro family being safely evacuated at approximately 2 AM.
- No injuries were reported, though the fire caused significant damage to a portion of the residence.
- A 38-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the arson.
- The Democratic governor, widely considered a potential White House contender in 2028, has a 59% approval rating in Pennsylvania.
Arson Attack During Jewish Holiday
Pennsylvania State Police are searching for an arsonist who set fire to Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence in Harrisburg early Sunday morning. The attack occurred during the first night of Passover, shortly after Shapiro, who is Jewish, had shared holiday greetings on social media. State troopers alerted the governor and his family around 2 AM, safely evacuating them from a different part of the residence as flames engulfed a portion of the historic building, which has housed Pennsylvania governors since 1968.
The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded to the scene and successfully extinguished the blaze. While the property sustained significant damage, authorities have reported no injuries. Governor Shapiro, a Democrat who was elected in 2022, took to social media to express gratitude for the emergency response.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home set on fire by arsonist while his family slept https://t.co/QIZnnsWVJG pic.twitter.com/DJMas8GFCH
— New York Post (@nypost) April 13, 2025
Investigation Underway with Suspect Charged
State Police have definitively labeled the incident as arson, though they have provided limited details about potential suspects or motives. “While the investigation is ongoing, the State Police is prepared to say at this time that this was an act of arson,” officials stated in their announcement.
“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 wrote on X. “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,” he added.
Police announced on Sunday night that they had arrested 38-year-old Cody Balmer and charged him with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. Officials say that Balmer hopped the fence to the governor’s residence before the incident around 2 a.m. He was found to have “homemade incendiary devices” according to Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens.
The governor’s family includes four children, two of whom are minors. The fire has raised concerns about security measures at the residence, particularly given Shapiro’s increasing national profile. The Governor’s Residence is a state-owned property that has been the official home of Pennsylvania governors for over five decades.
Rising Political Star Targeted
Shapiro, 50, previously served as Pennsylvania’s attorney general before winning the governorship in 2022. He has gained prominence in Democratic circles, with his name frequently mentioned for higher office. He was reportedly considered for a vice-presidential run alongside Kamala Harris in the previous presidential election cycle, and political analysts have identified him as a potential White House contender in 2028.
The arson attack comes at a time when political figures increasingly face security threats nationwide. The incident highlights the heightened security concerns for public officials in today’s divisive political climate, especially for those with growing national profiles like Shapiro.
