Charges Filed Against Suspect In Arson At Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Residence

Authorities on Monday announced a slew of charges against the suspect accused of an arson attack on the residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro early Sunday.

Cody A. Balmer, 38, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and related offenses in connection with the attack, the Dauphin County District Attorneys Office announced Monday.

Video surveillance allegedly showed Balmer climbing over a wall to enter the grounds of the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg at around 2 a.m. Sunday. Using a hammer he brought, Balmer allegedly broke a window on the south side of the building and threw a Molotov cocktail inside, starting a fire.

Shapiro and his family, who were asleep in the residence at the time, were safely evacuated.

“The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police,” Shapiro said in a statement. “Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished.”

Photos shared by the state’s Commonwealth Media Services show substantial damage to a portion of the residence.

Police said surveillance video showed the suspect wearing a “Snap-On” jacket with “distinctive” shoulder patches. After later identifying Balmer as a suspect, state police searched his residence in Penbrook Borough and recovered the jacket along with a bag containing a gasoline container.