Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were awakened at 2 AM by state police banging on their door after an arsonist targeted the historic Governor’s Residence, causing significant damage but no injuries.
Quick Takes
- Pennsylvania State Police confirmed the fire at Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence was an act of arson, occurring in the early morning hours of Passover
- The Shapiro family, including his wife and four children (two of whom are minors), were safely evacuated with no injuries reported
- The incident occurred shortly after Shapiro, a Democrat considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, shared Passover greetings on social media
- The historic Governor’s Residence, home to eight Pennsylvania governors since 1968, sustained significant damage to a portion of the building
- A 38-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the arson Sunday evening.
Late-Night Attack During Jewish Holiday
Pennsylvania State Police responded swiftly to an arson attack at Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence in Harrisburg early Sunday morning. The Democrat governor and his family were asleep when authorities banged on their door around 2 AM to alert them of the fire. The Shapiro family was in a different section of the residence than where the fire started, allowing state police adequate time to evacuate them safely while the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire worked to extinguish the blaze.
The timing of the attack has raised concerns, as it occurred during the first night of Passover, just hours after Shapiro had shared holiday greetings on social media. “From the Shapiro family’s Seder table to yours, happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach!” the governor had posted before the incident. The Pennsylvania State Police have unequivocally declared this was “an act of arson,” and announced on Sunday evening the arrest of 38-year-old Cody Balmer as the suspect.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home set on fire by arsonist while his family slept https://t.co/QIZnnsWVJG pic.twitter.com/DJMas8GFCH
— New York Post (@nypost) April 13, 2025
Damage Assessment and Investigation
State authorities reported “a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence,” which has housed Pennsylvania governors since 1968. Despite the extensive damage, the governor expressed relief that no one was injured. The Governor’s Residence, a historic building that has been home to eight Pennsylvania governors, will likely require substantial repairs.
Shapiro, his wife, and their four children (two of whom are minors) were all present at the time of the attack. The quick response from law enforcement and first responders prevented what could have been a much more tragic outcome. The governor later expressed gratitude toward emergency personnel, highlighting their bravery in the face of danger.
Police announced on Sunday night that they had arrested Balmer and charged him with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. According to officials, Balmer had hopped the fence to the governor’s residence before the incident around 2 a.m. He was found to have “homemade incendiary devices” according to Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens.
Rising Political Profile and Security Concerns
The attack comes at a time when Governor Shapiro’s national political profile has been rising steadily. Elected in 2022 after serving as Pennsylvania’s attorney general, Shapiro has garnered a 59% approval rating among likely voters in the crucial swing state. He was previously considered as a potential running mate for Kamala Harris and is viewed by many political analysts as a potential Democratic presidential contender for 2028.
The deliberate targeting of an elected official’s residence raises serious security concerns about the protection of government leaders. With political tensions high across the country, this incident underscores the potential dangers faced by public servants and their families.
