Josh Shapiro, the esteemed Governor of Pennsylvania, and his family faced a shocking and dangerous incident when their home was targeted in an arson attack over the weekend. The devastating event occurred in the early hours of Sunday, April 13, 2025, when an arsonist maliciously set the politician’s residence ablaze, forcing Shapiro, who is 51 years old, to confront this terrifying emergency in the dead of night.
According to a statement issued by Pennsylvania state police, the fire was successfully extinguished, but not without causing considerable damage to a portion of the residence. The authorities emphasized that the swift response was crucial in preventing the fire from spreading further and creating an even greater disaster.
In the following sections, we will delve into the details surrounding what transpired during the arson attack on Governor Shapiro’s home and discuss the identity of the individual who perpetrated this heinous act.
Details of the Arson Attack on Governor Shapiro’s Residence
In the early morning hours of April 13, 2025, Shapiro’s home was engulfed in flames, leading to a swift evacuation by law enforcement. The Pennsylvania State Police played a vital role in ensuring the safety of the governor and his family as the fire raged through a significant part of their residence located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Last night at the Governor’s Residence, we experienced an attack not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This kind of violence has become far too common in our society, and it has to stop. pic.twitter.com/5HP5JSvgfc
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 13, 2025
Governor Shapiro’s Safety and Family’s Well-Being After the Incident
Fortunately, Governor Shapiro and his family emerged unscathed from the harrowing experience. In a reassuring tweet, he confirmed that they were successfully evacuated just in time, highlighting the critical role of law enforcement in this life-threatening situation.
“Last night at about 2 AM, my family and I woke up to loud banging on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg,” Shapiro shared on April 13. He expressed gratitude for the prompt response of the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire, noting that while they worked diligently to extinguish the flames, his family was safely evacuated thanks to the efforts of the Pennsylvania State Police and Capitol Police.
Shapiro reassured the public that “no one was injured during the incident and the fire was ultimately extinguished.”
“Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who courageously run towards danger to protect our communities,” the governor stated, expressing deep appreciation. “Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori [Shapiro] and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe.”
In their official statement, the state police elaborated that the governor and his family “were present in a different part of the residence” away from the fire’s direct path, which allowed for their safe evacuation without any injuries.
Investigation into the Arson Attack on Governor Shapiro’s Home
As of now, law enforcement agencies have not publicly identified the individual responsible for the fire at Shapiro’s residence. However, a suspect, identified as Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old from Harrisburg, was apprehended on the same day as the incident, April 13. During a press conference that day, Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo indicated that they are in the process of filing charges against Balmer.
“While this information has not yet been officially recorded, the forthcoming charges will include attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person,” Chardo stated, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He also reminded the public that, as with any charges, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
