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Early Sunday morning, something pretty shocking happened in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A fire broke out at the governor’s residence while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were inside. Thankfully, no one was hurt—but the situation could’ve ended very differently.
The Man Behind the Attack
Police have identified the suspect as 38-year-old Cody Balmer, a local from Harrisburg. He’s no stranger to law enforcement. Court records show he’s had several run-ins with the law before, including charges for theft, assault, and forgery. Back in 2016, he pleaded guilty to theft and forgery and got probation.
After the fire, someone who said they used to be in a relationship with Balmer reached out to the police, claiming that he admitted to starting the blaze. A few hours later, Balmer walked into the police station and allegedly confessed. Now, he’s facing serious charges: attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and more. He’s being held without bail at the Dauphin County jail.
What Actually Happened?
According to state police, Balmer managed to get over the security fence surrounding the governor’s mansion—no small feat, since it’s about 7 feet tall. He then broke a window with a hammer and tossed a Molotov cocktail inside, setting off a fire in the south wing of the house.
He was inside for less than a minute before running off. Even with troopers patrolling the area, he slipped away undetected at the time.
The damage was pretty significant. Parts of the building are charred—walls, furniture, even a piano. Several historic pieces inside were scorched, and windows were blackened by the flames.
Gov. Shapiro Speaks Out
Later that day, Shapiro issued a statement. He called the attack a “targeted” act of violence and said it wouldn’t shake his commitment to his job—or his faith. “We will not be intimidated,” he said, thanking police and emergency responders for acting so quickly to get his family to safety.
He also highlighted the risks that law enforcement officers take every day, saying, “We stand with those who run toward danger to keep our communities safe.”
Political Response and Ongoing Investigation
The response to the incident has been swift and serious. Both Republicans and Democrats condemned the attack. Several lawmakers described it as politically and religiously motivated, though investigators haven’t confirmed a motive just yet.
The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice are now involved in the investigation.
About the Governor’s Residence
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence isn’t just a house—it’s a historic building located right along the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg. Built in 1968, it’s been home to every state governor since then. This isn’t the first time the mansion has suffered serious damage—Hurricane Agnes in 1972 caused flooding—but a fire like this is rare.
