Pennsylvania state authorities arrested and charged a Harrisburg man whom they said to burn on the governor’s manor while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping, forcing them to evacuate early Sunday before the fire damaged part of the building.
The man, identified as Cody Balmer, 38, jumped a fence and managed to escape the soldiers of the State after having broken into the building, the authorities said. He fled the premises and was arrested after turning into police on Sunday afternoon, officials announced at a press conference.
Mr. Balmer was accused of attempted murder, criminal fire and terrorism, the office of the Dauphin County Prosecutor said early Monday.
On Sunday, during a drop in press outside the Manoir à Marche, Governor Shapiro, a democrat who acquired national importance last year when he was on the short list of possible racing comrades for Kamala Harris, said the FBI helped the investigation. The smell of smoke persisted in the air while he was talking, with the blackened and broken windows where the incendiary fire had struck visible behind him.
Mr. Shapiro became emotional in describing the test of his family, recalling when a state soldier had struck his door shortly after 2 am, awakening him, his wife and children, and precipitates safe. The attack, he said, had been “targeted”.
“Last night, we experienced an attack, not only on our family, but throughout the Pennsylvania Commonwealth,” said Shapiro. “I want you to all know that your prayers are raising us, and at the moment of darkness, we choose to see the light.”
Although the police did not disclose a reason, they detailed the attack in an affidavit deposited with the charges against Mr. Balmer early on Monday. Mr. Balmer illegally entered the field of the Governor’s residence on Sunday and broke a window with a hammer and threw an object inside which triggered a fire, according to the office of the District Prosecutor. He then entered the building and started at least one more fire. Investigators recovered two bottles of heineken broken glass beer which had been filled with petrol.
When Pennsylvania’s state soldiers interviewed Mr. Balmer later on Sunday, he admitted to having started fires.
Police police from Pennsylvania also found a jacket in the neighboring house of Mr. Balmer which corresponded to that seen on video surveillance video images, said the district prosecutor’s office.
During the briefing, Mr. Shapiro said he spoke with Kash Patel, the director of the FBI. “He promised all the resources of the federal government,” said Shapiro, adding that he thanked Mr. Patel, the FBI and the president for their support.
Mr. Shapiro – who helped supervise the response of the police to the assassination attempt against President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Last summer – also condemned vitriol to American policy.
“This type of violence is not ok,” said Shapiro, his voice rising anger. “I don’t care if it’s on one special side or on the other. It’s not ok.”
State police said in a declaration that the fire caused “a large amount of damage to part of the residence”.
Mr. Shapiro noted that the attack had occurred on the first night of Passover, one of the most sacred Jewish holidays, and that other members of the local Jewish community celebrated in the dining room of the state with him and his family. “No one will dissuade me either my family or all the Pennsylvanian to celebrate their faith openly or proudly,” he said.
The officials of the law application described a chaotic scene in the mansion early in the morning. Once the state police learned of a security violation on property, they put in search of an intruder. But, in a few minutes, Mr. Balmer was able to penetrate, set fire and escape the same fence which he had evolved to enter, officials said.
Bryan Flores, 37, a neighbor who lives in front of the residence, said that he woke up shortly after 2 am to see a great response outside the police and firefighters. He said he “woke up with the sirens and the flashing lights” and added that the incident seemed under control at that time.
Mr. Shapiro, who served for six years as a state prosecutor before being elected governor in 2022, was the target of threats at least once before. In November 2023, police arrested a man who, according to them, sent him a threatening email, according to a police report from the state of Pennsylvania. It is not known on Sunday if the man had been charged as part of this incident.
The Governor’s residence is a Georgian style building of 29,000 square feet on the Susquehanna river which was completed in 1968, According to the government of the state. Its landscaped land occupy a complete block about a and a half mile from the State Capitol complex.
The public is able to visit the residence, which presents arts and artifacts on the first floor.
The recent large -scale incidents of violence directed against political figures have helped to fuel fear and discomfort among the Americans, have shown polls. Before the presidential election last year, on four out of 10 Voters said they were extremely or very concerned about violent attempts to challenge the result. The attempted assassination against Mr. Trump last summer took place just over 200 miles west of Harrisburg.
Other serious incidents have included an elder Land to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan in 2020, and the invasion of domicile and assault At the home of Nancy Pelosi in 2023, who seriously injured the husband of the former president of the Chamber, Paul.
Although American policy has become increasingly acrimonious and deeply polarized in recent years, Research shows This extremist violence in the United States has in fact decreased, even if a handful of episodes have drawn generalized attention and alarm. Researchers who study the issue said that the political climate has not become more widely violent.
Campbell Robertson,, Amanda Holpuch And Allison Beck contributed the reports. Susan C. Beachy contributed research.