What to know about Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the alleged arson at his official residence

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A man is facing charges after authorities say he broke into the Pennsylvania governor's mansion in the middle of the night, set a fire that left significant damage and forced Gov. Josh Shapiro, his family and guests to evacuate the building during the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Firefighters extinguished the fire early Sunday morning and no injuries were reported. The suspect, identified as Cody Balmer, 38, was arrested nearby later in the day, police said.

Balmer, who turned himself in to police, was denied bail Monday for such charges as attempted homicide, terrorism and arson. He told law enforcement that he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he found him, according to court documents.

Authorities said they were investigating how someone was able to elude police to break into the governor's residence in Harrisburg. A motive for the attack, including whether it had anything to do with Shapiro's politics or religious beliefs, wasn't immediately clear.

Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris said the fire was a carefully planned attack but emphasized the investigation is continuing. He did not give a possible motive.

Police call arson a planned attack

Balmer apparently scaled an iron security fence that stands around 7 feet (2.1 meters) and is monitored by security cameras, police said.

Police allege Balmer broke into the southern wing of the residence, entering a room often used to entertain crowds and display art, and set a fire using a homemade incendiary device. Police said two broken glass beer bottles containing gasoline were found. The fire left significant damage to the room, charring walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Window panes and brick around doors and windows were blackened.

Balmer was inside for around a minute before he left and escaped the premises, authorities said.

The home, built in 1968, did not have sprinklers, Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline said. He said the damages could be in the millions of dollars.

Suspect faces charges

Authorities said Balmer turned himself in after police received a call from his former partner who said he confessed.

Balmer has faced criminal charges over the past decade including simple assault, theft and forgery, according to online court records. He drew a sentence of probation after guilty pleas to theft and forgery counts. Simple assault charges from 2023 appeared unresolved.

In court Monday, he told the judge he did not have any drug or alcohol problems, but acknowledged missing a few court dates in the past.

Authorities did not say whether Balmer has a lawyer. One recent residence listed for him in Harrisburg was condemned in 2022.

Balmer's mother told The Associated Press on Monday that she had tried in recent days to get him assistance for mental health issues, but ''nobody would help.'' She said her son had bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The AP was not able to verify that information.

''He wasn't taking his medicine, and that's all I want to say,'' Christie Balmer said, speaking at the family home in Harrisburg.

''That's the rumor, but no, ma'am,'' he said.

Balmer, who spoke with a public defender at times during his court appearance, also said he was an unemployed welder with no income or savings and ''a lot of children.'' He did not enter a plea to the charges.

Governor is a rising Democratic star

Shapiro, 51, is the first-term governor of the nation's fifth-most populous state, a presidential battleground that has helped make him a rising star in the Democratic Party and viewed as a potential White House contender in 2028.

Shapiro said he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family had celebrated Passover at the residence on Saturday and were awakened by state troopers pounding on their doors at about 2 a.m. Sunday.

He used his first ad in his campaign for governor in 2022 to tell family stories and describe his commitment to making ''it home Friday night for Sabbath dinner,'' complete with footage of him and his children at the table.

''Family and faith ground me,'' he said.

In stump speeches and his election-night victory speech, Shapiro regularly quoted an ancient rabbinic maxim: ''No one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it.''

President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that Balmer did not appear to be a fan of his.

''The attacker basically wasn't a fan of anybody,'' he said. ''And certainly, a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen.''

The attack happened on the Jewish holiday of Passover, which began at sundown Saturday.

The holiday commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, including their 40-year journey through the desert. It is one of the holiest days of the year for Jews and is celebrated with a special meal called a Seder, which includes the eating of matzah, a type of unleavened bread, and the retelling of the Exodus story.

Shapiro had celebrated with a Seder at the official residence with his family and members of the Jewish community in the same room where authorities said the fire was set.

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