Democrat Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were forced to flee their burning home in the early morning hours. Reportedly disgruntled local resident Cody Balmer was arrested for arson and a litany of other serious crimes.
Governor and family safe
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro spoke at a press conference to let everyone know he and his family are safe.
Around 2 a.m., an arsonist tiptoed past the onsite security team and firebombed the governor’s official residence.
As updates came in, the public learned that police have a suspect in custody. Harrisburg resident Cody Balmer “was reportedly angry over the state auctioning his property.”
That information is based on an unfounded and unverified court document. He apparently singled out the governor as the target of his anger at being evicted.
Whether that’s true or not, Balmer has been charged by the Dauphin County District Attorney with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault. The governor won’t be issuing any pardons.
The suspect managed to evade security long enough to “enter the compound and set fire to the house.” When “security details became aware” of the breach, they “awakened the governor and his family.”
Contender for White House
Issuing a brief statement on social media, the Democrat governor describes how “he woke up in the middle of the night to authorities banging on the door of the home as a fire spread.”
He’s beginning to realize he’ll need much better security if he makes the run for the White House everyone’s expecting. “Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished.”
A factor in the prosecution’s case against Balmer will be the timing. The attack on the Jewish governor was carried out “after Shapiro and his family celebrated the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover.”
It’s a good thing they have another house for backup because the fire caused “a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence.”
Along with his wife, Lori, the couple have four children. Shapiro gained national attention politically when he was “considered as a possible running mate for former Vice-President Kamala Harris during her run for president in 2024.” With hindsight, he’s incredibly relieved she tapped Tim Walz.
Luckily, the part of the home where the governor and his family sleep is remote from where the fire was set. Even though the exterior is brick, Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was forced to work aggressively to get the blaze put out.
