A 38-year-old man, Cody Balmer, has been arrested following a suspected arson attack on the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg. Balmer is facing serious charges including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and assault. Authorities revealed that he allegedly scaled the fence surrounding the residence and used a homemade incendiary device to ignite the fire.

The incident occurred shortly after the Shapiro family celebrated the first night of Passover. Governor Shapiro, his wife Lori, and their four children—Sophia, Jonah, Max, and Reuben—were safely evacuated from another part of the house. The fire caused significant damage to a section of the 29,000 sq ft Georgian-style mansion built in 1968.

During a press conference, an emotional Shapiro stated he would not be “trapped by the bondage” of the attack. Law enforcement and fire services responded quickly to the scene, and the fire was extinguished before it could spread further.

Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack. A $10,000 reward was offered for information, although it remains unclear if a tip led to Balmer’s arrest. Shapiro has been governor since 2023 and was previously Pennsylvania’s attorney general.