Arson, Attempted Murder At Gov. Shapiro's Residence: What We Know

HARRISBURG, PA — The ashes are still clearing from Gov. Josh Shapiro's mansion in Harrisburg Monday morning after a man broke inside and set it on fire, shocking the nation in what's assumed to be an assassination attempt on one of the highest profile figures in the Democratic Party.

Cody Balmer, 38, a Harrisburg resident, is in custody and has been charged.

Here's what we know so far.

The incident

It happened overnight Saturday into Sunday, just hours after the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover which Shapiro was celebrating with his family and guests on the property.

Balmer climbed over a fence to get onto the property, and then threw a Heineken bottle filled with gasoline from his lawnmower through the window of the piano room, sparking a fire, according to a criminal complaint.

He then broke another window to enter the home and used similar Molotov cocktail-like "homemade incendiary devices" to start multiple blazes in the dining room and other rooms throughout the house, according to atuhorities.

Police added that he moved methodically and without rushing through the mansion, staying inside for less than a minute. He was on the property for several minutes after the attack, eluding police who were guarding the home and then escaping.

Gov. Shapiro, his wife Lori Shapiro, other members of the family, and numerous staff were all inside the home at the time of the attack. Shapiro later said that they woke up to banging on the door from state police at around 2 a.m. Sunday.

The motive

Authorities have not clarified one way or another if the attack took place on Passover with antisemitic intention.

Balmer turned himself in to an officer outside the state police headquarters in Harrisburg, telling the officer that he committed the arson. As he was taken in, Balmer admitted to "harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro," according to a criminal complaint.

Balmer told police he knew the mansion was occupied when he lit it on fire. When police asked Balmer what he would have done if he found Shapiro inside the home, "he advised he would have beaten him with his hammer," the probable cause affidavit states.

A sledge hammer was found inside the black bag he carried inside the mansion during the attack, which police later covered.

According to Newsweek, Balmer's social media history includes numerous anti-Joe Biden and pro-Donald Trump memes and gifs.

Court proceedings

Balmer has been charged with attempted homicide, arson, aggravated assault, burglary, terrorism, and a litany of related counts.

He will be arraigned at the central court at the Dauphin County Prison before magisterial district judge Paul Zozos at sometime later this week. The exact time and day is pending. Court officials said the arraignment would not happen Monday.

Reactions from around the country

President Trump has not yet issued a response to the incident, though Vice President J.D. Vance shared a post on X Sunday night.

"Thanks be to God that Governor Shapiro and his family were unharmed in this attack," he wrote. "Really disgusting violence, and I hope whoever did it is brought swiftly to justice."

"This is truly appalling," U.S. Sen. John Fetterman said. "Profoundly grateful that Gov. Shapiro and his family are unharmed, and grateful for the police and first responders for their quick actions. Whoever did this must be held to the fullest extent of the law."

"I am horrified by the violent attack and fire at the Governor’s Residence — and relieved to know that Gov. Shapiro and his wife and family were rescued to safety in the middle of the night, said Montgomery County's U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Governor Josh Shapiro and his family following the horrific arson attack on their residence," Democratic Congressional Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. "I am thankful for the quick actions of first responders to ensure no one was injured and to swiftly apprehend a suspect. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable and it is especially unconscionable to attack a Jewish family during the first night of Passover. Everyone responsible must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

Damage to the home

State police are leading the investigation. The governor said he had spoken with FBI Director Kash Patel, who had promised to provide federal resources.

Shapiro said he was "eternally grateful" to law enforcement and first responders, and that he planned to be back in the governor's residence "very soon."

“We celebrated our faith last night proudly and in a few hours we will celebrate our second Seder of Passover again proudly," the governor said Sunday evening. "No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly."

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.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Anna Schier