Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were forced to evacuate their official residence in the middle of the night after an arsonist set fire to the building.
Quick Takes
- An arson attack at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence caused significant damage while the family slept during Passover.
- Governor Shapiro, his wife, and four children were safely evacuated at approximately 2 AM by state police.
- A multi-agency investigation is underway with a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrest.
- A 38-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the arson.
- The attack comes as Shapiro, considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, maintains a 59% approval rating.
Middle-of-Night Evacuation During Jewish Holiday
Pennsylvania State Police evacuated Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro and his family from their official residence in Harrisburg around 2 AM Sunday morning after an arsonist targeted the building. The attack occurred during the first night of Passover, hours after Shapiro had shared holiday greetings on social media. The fire caused substantial damage to a portion of the historic residence, which has housed eight Pennsylvania governors since 1968. State police confirmed the incident as a deliberate act of arson, though the Shapiro family was fortunately in a different section of the building when the fire broke out.
In a statement following the incident, Shapiro expressed gratitude that no one was injured. “Last night at about 2AM, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg,” Shapiro wrote on social media. “The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police. Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished.”
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
Multi-Agency Investigation Launched
Pennsylvania State Police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the arson attack, working alongside federal and local law enforcement agencies. “While the investigation is ongoing, the State Police is prepared to say at this time that this was an act of arson,” officials confirmed in a statement to the press. The fire caused what authorities described as a “significant amount of damage” to the first floor of the residence.
Police announced on Sunday night that they had arrested 38-year-old Cody Balmer and charged him with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. Officials say that Balmer 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.
The attack comes amid heightened concerns about security for public officials across the nation. The timing of the incident—during a Jewish holiday and targeting a prominent Jewish elected official—has raised additional questions about possible motives, though authorities have not yet specified whether they believe Shapiro was targeted for his faith, political position, or other reasons. The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded quickly to the blaze, preventing what could have been more catastrophic damage to the historic building.
Rising Political Profile
Governor Shapiro, elected in 2022 after serving as Pennsylvania’s attorney general, has maintained a strong political position in the crucial swing state. With a 59% approval rating among likely voters, Shapiro has emerged as a significant voice in Democratic politics. The governor was previously considered as a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris and is frequently mentioned as a possible Democratic presidential candidate for 2028.
The incident highlights growing security concerns for elected officials, particularly as political tensions remain high nationwide. Shapiro lives at the residence with his wife and four children, two of whom are minors. State police and other law enforcement agencies maintain security protocols at the Governor’s Residence, but this breach demonstrates the ongoing challenges in protecting public figures and their families. As the investigation continues, more details about the perpetrator’s background and motives are sure to be answered.
