Overview

• Cody Balmer, the suspect in the arson attack on Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence, cited antisemitic motives tied to perceived injustices against Palestinians, according to police documents.
• The attack, which occurred during Passover, forced the evacuation of Gov. Shapiro and his family, who were unharmed thanks to a closed dining room door that contained the fire.
• Gov. Shapiro has emphasized the need for unified condemnation of political violence, while declining to label the attack a hate crime, leaving the decision to local prosecutors.
• An independent review of security protocols is underway after the suspect evaded detection despite triggering a sensor and encountering a state trooper outside the residence.
• Sen. Chuck Schumer has called for a federal hate crime investigation, but Shapiro expressed confidence in local authorities to handle the case appropriately.