Pennsylvania Man Arrested for Allegedly Setting Governor’s Mansion Ablaze on First Night of Passover

Police say a man has been arrested and will face charges including attempted murder, terrorism and attempted arson in the early morning fire that badly damaged the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion and forced Governor Shapiro and his family to quickly escape.Sunday’s announcement came after Mr. Shapiro and his family were evacuated overnight from the official governor’s residence after someone set fire to the building. Mr. Shapiro told an afternoon news conference that he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family that had celebrated Passover on Saturday were inside the home when they were awakened by state troopers.No one was injured and the fire was extinguished, according to authorities.Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher Paris identified the man in custody as Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg. Mr. Paris emphasized at a Sunday afternoon news conference that the investigation is continuing and did not immediately disclose a motive for the crime.Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo said that forthcoming charges will include attempted murder, terrorism, attempted arson and aggravated assault.Authorities said the suspect hopped over a fence surrounding the property and forcibly entered the residence before setting it on fire. Police deputy commissioner George Bivens said Balmer had a homemade incendiary device and evaded police who knew there had been a breach.In a statement, Mr. Shapiro, viewed as a potential White House contender for the Democratic Party in 2028, said he and his family woke up at about 2 a.m. to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after the fire broke out.“Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished,” Mr. Shapiro said. “Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Last night, they did so for our family — and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe.”The fire caused a “significant amount of damage” to a portion of the residence, state police said. Mr. Shapiro and his family had been in a different part of the residence, police said.On Sunday, fire damage was visible on the residence’s south side, primarily to a large room often used for entertaining crowds and art displays. Large west-facing windows were completely missing their glass panes and doors stood ajar amid signs of charring.There was a police presence Sunday as yellow tape cordoned off an alleyway, investigators observed the damage inside and an officer led a dog outside an iron security fence before investigators sawed off a section from the top of the security fence on the residence’s south side. They wrapped it in heavy black plastic and took it away in a vehicle.Mr. Shapiro splits his time between the mansion that has housed governors since it was built in the 1960s and a home in Abington, about 100 miles east. He posted a photograph on social media Saturday of the family’s Passover Seder table at the residence.

Pennsylvania Man Arrested for Allegedly Setting Governor’s Mansion Ablaze on First Night of Passover

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