Authorities claimed on Sunday that a man climbed an iron security fence in the middle of the night, escaped police and broke into the governor’s home in Pennsylvania. He set fire to the building, causing extensive damage and forcing Governor Josh Shapiro, his family and visitors to leave.
Authorities said the suspect, who was apprehended later that day, will be charged with terrorism, aggravated assault, aggravated arson, and attempted murder.
Shapiro claimed that at around two in the morning on Sunday, state troopers hammered on their doors after he, his wife, their four children, two dogs, and another family celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover at the house on Saturday.
Early on Sunday morning, firefighters put out the fire, and no one was hurt.
Later in the day, a suspect, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, was taken into custody nearby, according to authorities.
Authorities said they were looking into how someone managed to get past the police and break into the governor’s Harrisburg home.
Although the investigation is ongoing, Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris stated that the fire was a well-planned attack. He did not provide a potential explanation.
According to authorities, Balmer reportedly jumped an iron security fence that is watched over by surveillance cameras and stands around 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall.
Police started a pursuit on the property after learning that someone had scaled the fence, but they were unable to find anyone at first.
According to police, Balmer used a handmade incendiary device to start a fire after breaking into the house’s southern wing, where he entered a space frequently used for art displays and crowd entertainment. The space was severely damaged by the fire, with walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates, and a piano all scorched. Police declined to provide further details on the device. Blackened bricks and glass panes around windows and doors.
According to authorities, Balmer remained inside for about a minute before he departed and fled the building.
Balmer will be charged with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault, according to authorities.
According to online court records, Balmer has been charged with a number of crimes during the past ten years, including simple assault, theft, and forgery. After entering guilty pleas to charges of theft and forgery, he was given a probationary term. The 2023 simple assault charges remained unresolved.
Authorities did not disclose where Balmer was being kept or if he had a lawyer. On Sunday, calls to those thought to be his family members were either unanswered or not responded. In 2022, a Harrisburg home that was recently listed for him was condemned.
Josh Shapiro is who?
Shapiro, 51, is a rising star in the Democratic Party and is considered a possible 2028 presidential candidate. He is the first-term governor of the country’s fifth most populous state, which is also a presidential battleground.
Shapiro claimed that after celebrating Passover at the house on Saturday with his wife, four kids, two dogs, and another family, state troopers barging in their doors at around two in the morning on Sunday woke them up.
Shapiro has made no secret of his Jewish beliefs.
Using footage of him and his kids at the table, he told family tales in his first advertisement during his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, emphasising his dedication to making “it home Friday night for Sabbath dinner.”
“I am grounded by my faith and family,” he stated.
Shapiro frequently cited an old rabbinic saying in both his election-night victory speech and stump speeches: “No one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it.”
The attack took place during Passover.
The assault took place on Saturday at dusk, the start of the Jewish holiday of Passover.
The celebration honours the Israelites’ 40-year desert journey and their eventual freedom from slavery in ancient Egypt. One of the most sacred days of the year for Jews, it is commemorated with a special dinner known as a Seder, which consists of reciting the Exodus tale and eating matzah, a kind of unleavened bread.
In the same room where authorities claimed the fire was started, Shapiro had celebrated with his family and Jewish community members over a Seder at the official house.
