Governor's Residence Targeted: Arson Suspect Arrested in Pennsylvania

Cody Balmer, arrested shortly after a fire severely damaged the governor's residence in Harrisburg, is charged with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault. Shapiro and his family, who were celebrating Passover at home, managed to evacuate safely when authorities knocked on their door in the early hours of the morning. "I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempted to put on me by attacking us as they did last night,” Shapiro expressed emotionally to the media.

Balmer was apprehended with a homemade incendiary device after breaching the fence around the governor's residence. While the motive for the alleged attack remains undetermined, police confirmed that the fire caused significant damage to the brick home. The quick response of the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire helped extinguish the blaze while police ensured the safety of the Shapiro family. Authorities had previously offered a reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Shapiro, who took office in 2023, is a prominent figure in Pennsylvania politics, previously serving as the state attorney general.