A lone assailant set fire to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg early yesterday morning while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were asleep inside.
The arsonist reportedly jumped a seven-foot iron security fence just before 0200 and used a hammer to shatter a ground floor window, gaining entry to the residence.
He eluded state police officers assigned to protect the property, who were aware of the intrusion and actively searching for him.
The incident unfolded over several minutes, during which the assailant set fire to the residence’s south wing, which houses a banquet hall and historical exhibits.
Shapiro, his wife, and their four children were asleep in a different wing at the time. They were awoken by police officers and escorted safely off the property.
The suspect used glass beer bottles filled with gasoline to ignite the blaze.
Firefighters later arrived and extinguished the fire, but the south wing sustained extensive damage.
Shapiro and his family had celebrated the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover in the banquet hall just hours prior to the attack.
The suspected arsonist, 38-year-old Cody Balmer of Harrisburg, turned himself in to police yesterday afternoon after his girlfriend contacted authorities, reporting that he had confessed to the attack.
Authorities, who have yet to release a motive, described the attack as well-planned and calculated. Balmer reportedly admitted to “harboring hatred” toward Shapiro.
It remains unclear whether the attack was motivated by anti-Semitism.
Balmer has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, terrorism and other offenses.
The situation warrants continued monitoring.
High-profile American executives, especially those involved in political causes, should review, and if necessary, upgrade the physical and procedural security posture at their private residences. These assessments should ideally be conducted by experienced security professionals.
