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The fire left significant damage to the room, charring walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano
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The Associated Press
Marc Levy And Mark Scolforo
Published Apr 14, 2025
4 minute read
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man is facing charges after authorities say he broke into the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion in the middle of the night, set a fire that left significant damage and forced Gov. Josh Shapiro, his family and guests to evacuate the building during the Jewish holiday of Passover.
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Firefighters extinguished the fire early Sunday morning and no injuries were reported. The suspect, identified as Cody Balmer, 38, was arrested nearby later in the day, police said.
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— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 14, 2025This weekend, our family witnessed the incredible bravery and excellence of our first responders.
The entire Shapiro family is eternally grateful for the @PAStatePolice troopers who safely evacuated our family from danger, the firefighters who quickly put out the fire at the…
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Balmer, who turned himself in to police, told them that he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he found him, according to court documents released Monday.
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Authorities said they were investigating how someone was able to elude police to break into the governor’s residence in Harrisburg.
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Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris said the fire was a carefully planned attack but emphasized the investigation is continuing. He did not give a possible motive.
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Police call arson a planned attack
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Balmer apparently scaled an iron security fence that stands around 7 feet (2.1 meters) and is monitored by security cameras, police said.
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Police became aware someone had climbed over the fence and began a pursuit on the grounds but initially didn’t locate anyone.
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Police allege Balmer broke into the southern wing of the residence, entering a room often used to entertain crowds and display art, and set a fire using a homemade incendiary device. Police said two broken glass beer bottles containing gasoline were found. The fire left significant damage to the room, charring walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Window panes and brick around doors and windows were blackened.
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Balmer was inside for around a minute before he left and escaped the premises, authorities said.
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Suspect faces charges
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Authorities said Balmer, who turned himself in after police received a call from a female “ex-paramour” who said he confessed, faces charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault.
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UPDATE: State Police Investigating Fire at Governor’s Residence. A suspect has been taken into custody and charged. https://t.co/8X5qHriGAn
— PA State Police (@PAStatePolice) April 14, 2025
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Balmer, who had walked about an hour from his home to the governor’s residence, “admitted to harbouring hatred towards Governor Shapiro,” according to a police affidavit. No reason was given.
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Balmer has faced criminal charges over the past decade including simple assault, theft and forgery, according to online court records. He drew a sentence of probation after guilty pleas to theft and forgery counts. Simple assault charges from 2023 appeared unresolved.
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Authorities did not say whether Balmer has a lawyer. One recent residence listed for him in Harrisburg was condemned in 2022.
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Balmer’s mother told The Associated Press on Monday that she had tried in recent days to get him assistance for mental health issues, but “nobody would help.” She said her son had bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The AP was not able to verify that information.
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“He wasn’t taking his medicine, and that’s all I want to say,” Christie Balmer said, speaking at the family home in Harrisburg.
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Balmer was taken to a hospital for treatment following an undisclosed medical event not connected to the incident or his arrest, authorities said Monday. Balmer remains under state police supervision and will be transported to the Dauphin County jail for arraignment upon his release, though it was not clear how long he would be at the hospital.
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Governor is a rising Democratic star
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Shapiro, 51, is the first-term governor of the nation’s fifth-most populous state, a presidential battleground that has helped make him a rising star in the Democratic Party and viewed as a potential White House contender in 2028.
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Shapiro said he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family had celebrated Passover at the residence on Saturday and were awakened by state troopers pounding on their doors at about 2 a.m. Sunday.
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Shapiro has been outspoken about his Jewish faith.
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He used his first ad in his campaign for governor in 2022 to tell family stories and describe his commitment to making “it home Friday night for Sabbath dinner,” complete with footage of him and his children at the table.
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“Family and faith ground me,” he said.
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In stump speeches and his election-night victory speech, Shapiro regularly quoted an ancient rabbinic maxim: “No one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it.”
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Attack happened during Passover
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— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 13, 2025Last night at the Governor’s Residence, we experienced an attack not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This kind of violence has become far too common in our society, and it has to stop. pic.twitter.com/5HP5JSvgfc
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The attack happened on the Jewish holiday of Passover, which began at sundown Saturday.
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The holiday commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, including their 40-year journey through the desert. It is one of the holiest days of the year for Jews and is celebrated with a special meal called a Seder, which includes the eating of matzah, a type of unleavened bread, and the retelling of the Exodus story.
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Shapiro had celebrated with a Seder at the official residence with his family and members of the Jewish community in the same room where authorities said the fire was set.
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