Suspect in custody after in a single day hearth at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence

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One particular person is in custody in relation to the fireplace set to to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, early Sunday, officers stated at a information convention.

Cody Balmer is in custody and might be charged with tried homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault in opposition to an enumerated particular person, Pennsylvania District Lawyer Fran Chardo stated on the information convention Sunday.

In a assertion posted to social media, Shapiro wrote that his household awoke at 2 a.m. on Sunday to banging on the door from state police. He added that he and his spouse, Lori, had been “eternally grateful” for authorities who helped evacuate the household.

“Thank God nobody was injured and the fireplace was extinguished,” Shapiro wrote. “Day-after-day, we stand with the legislation enforcement and first responders who run in direction of hazard to guard our communities.”

Photographs of the fireplace response confirmed smoke billowing out from one of many residence’s home windows, blackening the outside trim above the window with what appeared to a layer of soot.

A brick home damaged by fire is seen at night, a firefighter is at the front doors, a charred window with smoke billowing out is seen — Firefighters reply to a hearth at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence in Harrisburg, Pa., on April 13, 2025.Capital Metropolis Hearth Photographs

A slim look inside the house by the window confirmed substantial harm to the inside. There was a bit of furnishings by the window that appeared fully charred by the blaze.

The couple has 4 youngsters collectively, Sophia, Jonah, Max and Reuben. Sophia and Jonah are authorized adults whereas Max and Rueben are minors.

It’s unclear whether or not both of Shapiro’s grownup youngsters had been dwelling.

Shapiro supplied Passover properly needs simply hours earlier than the assault on the residence. The governor, who’s Jewish, shared a photograph of his Seder desk on social media.

“From the Shapiro household’s Seder desk to yours, glad Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach!” he wrote on X Saturday night.

Beth Beene, who lives down the road from the residence, informed NBC Information that she heard hearth vans in the midst of the night time however went again to mattress. She couldn’t imagine it when she realized information of the arson investigation at Shapiro’s dwelling.

“I couldn’t imagine how in depth the harm was,” Beene stated. “I assumed it was one thing that was caught, put out…However I used to be shocked to see home windows damaged out.”

Shapiro and his spouse are good neighbors, Beene stated, noting that they all the time make time to speak whereas strolling across the neighborhood. She stated the incident was particularly troubling given the timing of the Passover vacation.

“It chokes me up, as a result of I, you recognize, have many household and mates, who’re Jewish, and the truth that this occurred on excessive non secular vacation, particularly with our Jewish governor, is actually scary,” Beene stated.

State police described the probe into the incident as a multiagency investigation and are providing a $10,000 reward for info.

“Whereas the investigation is ongoing, the State Police is ready to say at the moment that this was an act of arson,” the division stated.

Shapiro is a Democrat who was elected to steer Pennsylvania in 2022 after serving because the state’s legal professional normal for a number of years. He was reportedly among the many main candidates thought of for a vice presidential run alongside Kamala Harris in final yr’s presidential race.

It is a growing story. Please examine again for updates.

Doha Madani