A man suspected of set fire to the family home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro early Sunday morning was placed in police custody.
According to investigators, Cody Balmer, 38, has climbed a safety fence dressed in seven -foot iron at the Harrisburg manor in Shapiro in the middle of the night before setting it up.
The court documents published Monday revealed that Balmer informed the police of his intention to beat Shapiro with a hammer if he had found it, reported the Associated Press.
A view of some of the damage caused after an alleged fire fire burnt down the residence of the Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, in a targeted attack in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on April 13, 2025. Shapiro held a press conference later in the day to address the incident and reintegrate the public.
Kyle Mazza Anadolu / Getty Images)
The firefighters extinguished the fire early Sunday morning. No injury has been reported. The suspect was arrested near the crime scene later the same day after going, the police confirmed.
In an article on X on Monday, Shapiro thanked the first stakeholders for their bravery.
The authorities said they were investigating the way Balmer was able to fly under the radar and break the property of Shapiro.
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According to Pennsylvania police colonel Christopher Paris, the fire was a rigorously planned attack.
He reiterated that the investigation is underway and did not give possible reason, however, according to a police affidavit, Balmer “admitted that he had hosted hatred towards Governor Shapiro” without giving reason, the AP reported.
A police line is visible to the manor of the Governor of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, following a suspected incendiary attack which caused significant damage on April 13, 2025.
Kyle Mazza Anadolu / Getty Images
The investigators said that Balmer had walked about an hour from his Shapiro home before entering his southern wing via a room often used to organize parties and display art before setting it up with Molotov cocktails.
The police recovered two bottles of beer in broken glass on the scene and reported significant damage to the room, in particular blackened walls, tables, dishes and a piano, as well as charred bricks and blown windows.
A view of the damaged plates following an alleged targeted criminal fire at the residence of the Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, April 13, 2025.
Kyle Mazza Anadolu / Getty Images
Shapiro, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family had gathered to celebrate Passover at the residence on Saturday evening. They were alerted from the fire by the emergency services that beat at the door at 2 am on Sunday on Sunday.
Passover celebrations occurred in the same room where the fire began, according to the authorities.
According to the AP, Balmer was inside the house for about a minute before escaping from the place. He was accused of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated criminal fire and serious assault.
Shapiro, who is Jewish and explains his commitment to his faith, told journalists on Sunday that the attack had shaken the house.
“If he was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community, who joined us for a Passover Seder in this room last night, let’s hear me on this subject: we celebrated our faith last night, proudly and in a few hours, we will celebrate our second Passover Seder,” said CNN.
“No one will dissuade me neither my family nor all the Pennsylvanian to celebrate their faith openly and proudly.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speaks at a press conference outside the Governor’s manor following an alleged criminal fire at the residence on April 13, 2025. April 13, 2025.
Kyle Mazza Anadolu / Getty Images
During Passover, the Jews celebrate their emancipation of slavery in Egypt during the reign of the Ramses in the 13th century.
“I refuse to be trapped by slavery that someone tries to put me by attacking us as they did last night,” said AP Shapiro. “I refuse to leave anyone who had bad intentions like that prevents me from doing the work that I like,” he added, before condemning all acts of violence.
“I don’t care if it comes on a particular side or on the other, led by a particular part or another or a particular person.
Over the past 10 years, Balmer has faced many criminal charges, including simple assault, theft and counterfeit, according to online judicial archives.
– With files from the Associated Press.
& Copy 2025 Global News, A Division of Corus Entertainment Inc.