Suspect in arson attack at Gov. Josh Shapiro's home was 'harboring hatred': Live updates

USA TODAY

Authorities charged a man who they say broke into the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and set fire to a section of the residence, leading the official, his family and others to evacuate the mansion just hours after Shapiro hosted a Passover dinner.

No one was injured in the arson attack on April 13, but there was extensive damage to the home. Images released by state officials show a dining area charred by the flames, with windows blown out and light fixtures, furniture and interior walls all destroyed and covered with ash.

Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism and related offenses, Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo said in a statement.

Newly released court documents say Balmer turned himself in and told investigators he was "harboring hatred" toward Shapiro. He also said he would have beaten the governor with a hammer if he had encountered him in the home, records say. It's unclear if Balmer has an attorney; he is expected to be taken to Dauphin County Prison for an arraignment.

Shapiro was elected in 2023 and has since become one of the most well-known Democratic governors in the country – and has fielded questions about a future run for president after reports that he was on the shortlist to run as Kamala Harris' vice president in the 2024 election.

Here's what we know about the attack and the man facing charges.

Arson suspect being treated at local hospital

Balmer was taken to a hospital for treatment "due to a medical event not connected to this incident or his arrest," according to an update from the Pennsylvania State Police.

The statement said Balmer will remain under the state police's supervision and "will be transported to the Dauphin County Prison for arraignment upon his release."

Trump says 'I just heard about it,' other officials express relief

Members of President Donald Trump's administration expressed relief that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family weren't harmed in a suspected arson attack on their home, while Trump told reporters: "I just heard about it... I have to look into it."

"Really disgusting violence, and I hope whoever did it is brought swiftly to justice," Vice President JD Vance posted on social media, adding that he is thankful Shapiro and his family are safe.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she is "deeply relieved" the Shapiros are unharmed. "Thankful for the first responders who arrived on the scene, and applaud the police work that resulted in an arrest just hours ago," Bondi added.

What happened at governor Josh Shapiro's home?

Shapiro said he and his family "woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police" after an arsonist set fire to the governor’s residence in Harrisburg around 2 a.m. on April 13. The governor's family as well as another family in the house were safely evacuated from the residence by state troopers.

Prosecutors say video footage shows the suspect "surveilling the residence" before he scaled a fence and approached the piano room on the south side of the governor's home. The suspect could be seen smashing in a window with a hammer and throwing a Molotov cocktail into the room, immediately sparking flames, according to an arrest affidavit.

Wearing a Snap-on jacket, black boots and carrying a bag, the suspect then smashed in a nearby window and entered the mansion, the affidavit says. Once inside, he threw two additional Molotov cocktails in a dining area before fleeing the residence, scaling the fence and running away, records say.

Suspect's ex called police; prosecutors say he admits to attack

After the attack, Harrisburg police were contacted by a woman who said her ex-partner, Balmer, was the perpetrator, according to the affidavit. She told police Balmer had "confessed to the act and wanted her to call police to turn him in."

A short while later, Balmer himself approached a trooper outside Pennsylvania State Police headquarters and said he wished to turn himself in for the attack at the governor's mansion. During an interview, he told investigators he had filled Heineken beer bottles with gasoline from a lawn mower and intentionally threw them into the governor's home.

When asked what he would have done if he encountered Shapiro in the home, Balmer told investigators "he would have beaten him with his hammer," the affidavit says.

Balmer told investigators he was "harboring hatred" toward Shapiro, but no details on a possible motivation were described in court documents.

During a search of Balmer's residence in Penbrook Borough, Dauphin County, investigators found the Snap-on jacket seen on surveillance footage at Shapiro's home as well as "a bag containing a gasoline container," the affidavit says.

FBI in contact with state authorities on attack

Shapiro said he was in contact with FBI Director Kash Patel, who “promised all of the resources of the federal government.”

The FBI’s Philadelphia field office was also in touch with State Police, according to Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris.

Shapiro on April 13 said he was not fearful but concerned for his family. He would not say if he considered it a hate crime, saying he would leave that determination to investigators.

“Last night, we experienced an attack, not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, here at the governor's residence,” Shapiro said at a news conference.