UPDATED !!!! Fire At Penn. Governor Josh Shapiro's Residence: Act of Arson

 

BY C STONE | STONE NEWS NETWORK
Source: NPR

Updated in BOLD at 4:14 PM MST / 2:14 PM EST

A fire erupted at the Pennsylvania Governor's residence - Josh Shapiro, early Sunday near 2:00 AM E.T. Investigators called it 'an act of arson.

UPDATE: Cody Balmer is the suspect in Josh Shapiro's arson.

 Authorities on Sunday identified a Cody Balmer from Harrisburg as the suspect who lit the fire at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's residence. The suspect is in custody and is facing several charges. He is 38 years old.

The police department confirmed that Balmer hopped the fences, evaded the troopers and set the fire. The 38-year-old was apprehended in the Harrisburg area immediately after Shapiro and his family were evacuated. He is facing aggravated assault and arson-related charges. The suspect's photo has not been released yet.

Officials added that Balmer had a ‘very methodic plan’ and was in and out of the residence within minutes. "While the fire was successfully extinguished, it caused a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence," the State Police said.

Shapiro, a Democrat, is considered a potential candidate for his party's presidential contest in 2028. Before the fire, he posted last night about his family's Seder table while celebrating Passover.

"Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities," Shapiro said, "Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe."

The police have said: 

"While the fire was successfully extinguished, it caused a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence," state police also said. "The Governor and his family were present in a different part of the residence. They were evacuated safely and were not injured." 

Shapiro, 51, is Jewish and had posted a picture on social media saying 'Happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach!"

"Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished. Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities," Shapiro, a Democrat who was elected as governor in 2022 wrote. "Last night, they did so for our family — and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe."

The Pennsylvania State Police have offered a $10,000 reward leading to the 'arrest and conviction' of any person or persons responsible for the fire.