A suspected terrorist has been accused of setting alight Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro’s mansion Saturday evening, forcing his family and other guests to flee the residence.
Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, was detained in connection with the alleged “targeted” attack just hours after Shapiro and his family dined to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover at his home in the state capital Saturday, officials say. Balmer is accused of throwing beer bottles full of gasoline into the home.
Now, new details, including a possible motive for the attack, have been revealed in unsealed court documents. Balmer held a deep hatred for Shapiro and told officers if the governor had been home when the attack occurred, he would “beat him with a hammer,” reports WHTM.
The documents also reveal that Balmer used his ex-girlfriend to negotiate his surrender to the police.
Photos released by the state show that the room where Shapiro had shared a photo of his family’s Seder table earlier in the evening had been left in disarray, with furniture charred and wallpaper blackened.
The suspect is due to face charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault, Dauphin County district attorney Francis Chardo said Sunday.
“We don’t know the person’s specific motive yet,” Shapiro, visibly frustrated in an emotionally charged press conference, said. “But we do know a few truths. First, this type of violence is not okay. This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society.
“I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one party or another, or one person or another, it is not okay,” he continued. “It has to stop. We have to be better than this.”
Shapiro added that he had spoken with FBI director Kash Patel hours before the briefing, noting, “He promised all of the federal government's resources.”
Shapiro, a running mate hopeful for former vice president Kamala Harris last year, said he and his family were woken up just after 2am to state troopers banging on their door, telling them they needed to leave immediately.
The Democrat said in the news conference that the fire was set in the dining room, the same location where they had celebrated Passover just hours earlier.
The governor said that he, his wife, their children, their dogs and other family members staying at the residence were evacuated safely Sunday morning.
Pennsylvania State Police colonel Christopher Paris said the fire was a carefully planned attack but emphasized the investigation is continuing. He did not give a possible motive.
Officials said that Balmer hopped over a nearly 7ft-high iron security fence, eluding officers, and entered the home, setting it on fire. State troopers monitor the governor’s mansion.
Police allege Balmer broke into the southern wing of the residence, entering a room often used to entertain crowds and display art, and set a fire using a homemade incendiary device.
The fire left significant damage to the room, charring walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Window panes and brick around doors and windows were blackened.
A table sign with the seal of the governor of Pennslyvania seal that read, “Help yourself to some kid-friendly Passover Crafts!” was left covered in smoke dust.
Police became aware someone had climbed over the fence and began a pursuit on the grounds but initially didn't locate anyone. They later arrested him nearby. He was inside the residence for about a minute before he escaped, officials said.
“He clearly had a plan,” George Bivens of the state police told the media. “He was very methodical in his approach and moved through it without a lot of hurry.”
Crews evacuated the family, and no one was injured. Shapiro and his wife, Lori, have four children and were in a different part of the residence when the fire was lit.
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The fire damage was still visible on the residence’s south side Sunday and there was still a police presence as yellow tape cordoned off an alleyway and an officer led a dog outside an iron security fence.
Shapiro promised that the parts of the residence that were burned would be rebuilt.
“We’ll get rid of that smell of fire and smoke, and we’ll be back very soon,” he said.
Shapiro, who is expected to run for the presidency in 2028, helped oversee the law enforcement’s response to the assassination attempt against president Donald Trump in Butler last summer.
Last month, Shapiro joined a coalition of governors and attorney generals suing Trump’s administration after it cut $12bn in federal funds for Covid-19 initiatives and various other nationwide public health projects.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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