A mechanic who previously expressed disdain for the Democrats on social networks is arrested in relation to the nightfire in the residence of the Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro, sources familiar with the alleged referee to ABC News said.
Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were at the residence at the time of the fire, which was reported at 2 in the morning. They were safely evacuated and were not injured, according to the State Police.
The sources said the suspect supposedly used what he described as “a Molotov cocktail” to start the fire.
The suspect was identified as Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, said Dauphin County, Da Fran Chardo, during the press conference.
The researchers are on the scene after a nightfire at the official residence of the governor on Sunday, April 13, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
Marc Levy/AP
Chardo said the charges, which will be presented on Sunday, will include attempted murder, terrorism, fire and aggravated assault against a person listed.
Balmer familiar sources said their public complaints with the Democratic party were mainly related to financial problems.
The researchers are also digging in the records to determine if Balmer may have been experiencing financial problems, the sources said.
Shapiro said during the press conference that the attack was “attacked.”
“We know that this attack was attacked … this type of violence is not right,” said the governor. “And I don’t care if it comes from one side or another, aimed at a particular part or another,” he added.
Only a few hours before the fire, the governor of Pennsylvania had aware A photo of the Seder of her family’s Easter in X, writing: “From the Seder of the Shapiro family to his, happy Easter and Chag Pesach Sameach.
Shapiro approached the possible reason during the conference, telling the suspect: “If I was trying to terrorize my family, my friends … Listen to me about this, we celebrate our faith with pride, nobody will dissuade me to celebrate my faith openly and proudly.”
The researchers have not ruled out Shapiro’s Jewish faith as a possible motivating factor, sources told ABC News. Nor are they ruling out the possibility that the suspect had mental health problems, the sources added.
Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during a press conference on the shooting at the UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, February 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, Archive)
Matt Rourke/AP
Lieutenant Colonel of the State Police of Pennsylvania, George Bivens, detailed the alleged attack, saying that the suspect approached a fence and actively evaded the soldiers while looking for him on the property.
While they were looking for, the suspect entered and lit the fires, according to Bivens, who said the incident developed “for several minutes.”
The part of the Balmer fence allegedly jumped to enter the residence was cut by the researchers so they could try it for the DNA, family sources told ABC News.
On Sunday earlier, Shapiro said in a statement: “My family and I woke up with blows to the Penylvania state police after a incendiary fire to the Governor’s residence in Harrisburg. The Harrisburg fire office was on stage and, while working to turn off the fire, we were evacuated from the residence safe Capitol Police.
“Thank God, no one was injured and the fire became extinguished,” he added.
The State Police said that while the investigation continues, “the State Police is prepared to say at this time that this was an act of fire.”
The fire caused “a significant amount of damage” apart from the residence, according to the State Police.
Shapiro was elected governor of Pennsylvania in 2022 and was considered a candidate for vice president of the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris before he finally elected the governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz. Shapiro completed two periods as State Attorney General before being elected governor.
