Overview

• The arson attack occurred early Sunday morning, April 13, 2025, at the Pennsylvania Governor's official residence in Harrisburg, where Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were present but unharmed.
• Authorities arrested 38-year-old Cody Balmer, suspected of using a homemade incendiary device to start the fire, and charged him with aggravated arson and terrorism.
• The fire caused substantial damage to part of the residence but was extinguished promptly by emergency responders, preventing any injuries.
• Governor Shapiro, a prominent Democratic figure elected in 2022, condemned the incident as part of a troubling rise in societal violence and called for unity against extremism.
• Political leaders, including Vice President JD Vance and former President Donald Trump, have commented on the attack, highlighting concerns about the safety of public officials and political violence.