Fire at Governor’s House Shakes Pennsylvania

Written by: Keya Gambhir

Late Saturday night in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, something scary happened at the official home of Governor Josh Shapiro. A man broke into the governor’s mansion and started a fire while the governor, his family, and some guests were sleeping inside. Everyone made it out safely, but the fire caused serious damage and left the community shaken.

Who Was There?

Governor Shapiro, his wife, their four children, and two dogs were staying in the mansion on April 13, 2025 for Passover, a major Jewish holiday. They had invited friends from the local Jewish community to join them for a seder, a special meal that celebrates freedom and tradition. It’s a time for reflection and faith, but the night ended in panic.

Around 2 a.m., a state trooper banged on their door, waking the family and rushing them outside as a fire spread through the mansion.

What Did the Suspect Do?

Police say the man behind the attack is Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old from Harrisburg. He climbed over a 7-foot fence, slipped past security, and set fire to the residence using homemade incendiary devices. He escaped the scene by jumping back over the fence and was caught later that day.

He is now in custody and faces charges including attempted murder, arson, terrorism, and more. State troopers, local police, and the FBI are working together on the investigation.

What Was the Motive?

The motive is still unknown. Law enforcement officials have not said why Balmer did this or whether he targeted the governor, the Jewish community, or someone else.

Governor Shapiro called it a “targeted” attack but emphasized that, regardless of the reason, this kind of violence has no place in society. “I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or another,” he said. “It is not OK. And it has to stop.”

He added that if the attacker was trying to scare his family or stop his work as governor, it would only make him more determined.

How Bad Was the Damage?

The fire caused serious destruction to part of the mansion. Windows were broken, smoke blackened the walls, and fire scorched furniture in the same room where the seder had taken place hours earlier. The smell of smoke still hung in the air as the governor gave a press conference outside, with blackened windows visible behind him.

The mansion is a 29,000-square-foot Georgian-style building that also serves as a public museum on the first floor. It's located by the Susquehanna River, just a short drive from the State Capitol.

Has This Happened Before?

This isn’t the first threat Governor Shapiro has faced. In 2023, police arrested a man who had sent him a threatening email, though it’s not clear if that case is related to the arson.

Shapiro also played a major role in the response to the attempted assassination of former President Trump last summer, which happened just over 200 miles away in Butler, Pennsylvania.

He’s known nationally and was even considered a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris during the last election.

What Did the Governor Say?

Standing outside the damaged mansion, Governor Shapiro spoke emotionally about what happened. “We experienced an attack, not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” he said.

He also made it clear that the attack wouldn’t shake his faith, saying, “We celebrated our faith last night proudly. No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly.”

He also stressed that political violence—whether it’s aimed at Democrats or Republicans—is wrong, and it’s becoming far too common. Recent incidents like the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband, the plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor, and the attempt on Trump’s life have all raised alarms.

But despite how frightening the attack was, Governor Shapiro promised to keep doing his job and to do it even harder.