Daijiworld Media Network - Harrisburg
Harrisburg, Apr 14: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family narrowly escaped harm after a man breached security at the governor’s official residence and set the building on fire in a shocking early morning attack on Sunday. Authorities have confirmed that the suspect will face terrorism, attempted murder, and arson charges.
Governor Shapiro, a prominent Democrat and a practicing Jew, was woken up around 2 am by police and safely evacuated along with his family from the residence in Harrisburg.
The accused, identified as 38-year-old Cody Balmer, reportedly scaled the perimeter fence to evade on-duty security and set the fire before fleeing the scene. He was later apprehended in the city. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo confirmed the charges, describing the incident as a serious threat not just to the governor but to public safety.
The timing of the attack, which occurred during the Jewish festival of Passover, raised further concerns. Just hours before the incident, Shapiro had hosted a Seder dinner part of the Passover tradition in the very room where the fire was ignited.
“If he was trying to terrorize my family or my friends, we celebrated our faith proudly,” Shapiro told reporters outside his home. “No one will deter me from celebrating my faith openly and proudly.”
“This type of violence is not OK. I don’t give a damn if it’s from one particular side or another it’s not OK,” he added, condemning the growing trend of politically motivated attacks.
Shapiro also thanked FBI Director Kash Patel for pledging full federal support in the investigation. Authorities are probing whether the suspect had any political or ideological motivations, especially as the attack aligns with a pattern of escalating violence against American political figures.
Court records show that property belonging to a man with a similar name was recently listed for auction due to mortgage defaults, though it remains unclear if this is linked to a motive.
The attack comes amid rising political tension in the US. Last year, former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, while former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband was brutally attacked at their home in 2023.
Governor Shapiro, once considered a top contender for the vice-presidential nomination on Kamala Harris’ ticket, continues to be a prominent figure in Democratic politics.