David Bridges
Josh Shapiro, the current governor of Pennsylvania, and his family endured a terrifying experience when they became victims of an arson attack over the weekend. An unknown arsonist targeted the politician’s residence, setting it ablaze while Shapiro, aged 51, was asleep. This alarming event took place in the early hours of Sunday, April 13, leaving the family shaken but fortunately unharmed.
According to a statement released by Pennsylvania state police, “While the fire was successfully extinguished, it caused a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence.” This incident highlights the growing concern of violence against public figures and their families, prompting calls for increased safety measures to protect them.
Below, you will discover the details surrounding this shocking incident involving Governor Josh Shapiro and the identity of the individual responsible for the fire at his home.
Details Surrounding the Arson Attack on Governor Shapiro’s Residence
In the early morning hours of April 13, Governor Shapiro’s home was engulfed in flames. Thankfully, police officers acted promptly, successfully evacuating the governor and his family from the residence as the fire spread through a part of their home located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The swift response of law enforcement ensured their safety during this harrowing ordeal.
Last 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
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 13, 2025
Update on the Safety of Governor Shapiro and His Family
Fortunately, both Governor Shapiro and his family are safe and were evacuated just in time, as he confirmed in a tweet following the incident. His message reassured the public by stating, “Last night at about 2 AM, 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.”
In his tweet on April 13, Shapiro expressed gratitude to the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire for their prompt response to extinguish the fire. He also acknowledged the role of the Pennsylvania State Police and Capitol Police in ensuring the safety of his family during the crisis, stating, “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.”
Shapiro further emphasized that “no one was injured and the fire was extinguished,” highlighting the effectiveness of the emergency response teams involved in managing the situation.
“Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities,” the governor remarked, expressing profound gratitude to the responders for their quick actions that kept his family safe during this frightening incident. He specifically thanked his wife, Lori [Shapiro], for her support during such a difficult time.
The state police elaborated on the situation, confirming that the governor and his family were located in a different part of the residence away from the flames and that they were evacuated safely without any injuries reported. This swift action undoubtedly saved lives and prevented further damage.
Investigation into the Identity of the Arsonist Targeting Governor Shapiro
As of now, law enforcement officials have not disclosed the identity of the individual who set fire to Governor Shapiro’s home. However, a suspect named Cody Balmer, a resident of Harrisburg, was apprehended on the same day as the incident, April 13. During a press conference, Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo indicated that they were preparing to charge Balmer, aged 38, for his alleged involvement in the crime.
“This is not of record yet, but the charges will include attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person,” Chardo stated, emphasizing the severity of these allegations. He also reminded the public that, as with any criminal charges, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
