A man climbed a midnight security fence made of iron, evaded police forces, and entered the residence of the Governor of the American state of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, causing a strong fire.
Shapiro, 51, was in his official residence with his family when the flames engulfed the home in Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, the police announced.
Shapiro said that he, his wife, their four children, their two dogs, and another family spent the Jewish Passover (Pesach) on Saturday in the residence and were awakened by agents knocking on the door around 2:00 a.m. Everyone managed to quickly exit the house, and firefighters extinguished the flames. No one was injured, reports Associated Press.
The attacker was later apprehended on Sunday and will be charged with attempted murder, terrorism, arson, and aggravated assault, authorities reported.
How the attacker acted
At a press conference held Sunday evening in front of the heavily damaged south wing of the governor's residence, Colonel Christopher Paris from the Pennsylvania State Police said that the arrested man is Cody Balmer, 38, from Harrisburg.
The suspect jumped over an almost 2.1-meter high security fence surrounding the property, bypassed officers who detected the intrusion in the secured perimeter, and forcefully entered the residence before setting it on fire.
According to the police, Balmer had an improvised incendiary device and seemed to have carefully planned the attack. He stayed in the residence for about a minute before fleeing.
Balmer is a repeat offender, having been charged in the past decade with assault, theft, and forgery.
Shapiro mentioned that the fire was set in the room where he and his family celebrated Saturday evening's Passover with members of the Jewish community in Harrisburg.
Authorities did not disclose the motive for the attack but mentioned that the investigation is ongoing.
The fire severely damaged the interior of the salon, often open for public visits and art exhibitions. The large windows facing west and south were shattered, shards scattered on the floor. The door and window frames were burnt, and the walls were blackened by smoke.
Through the broken windows and doors blackened by fire, a charred piano, several tables, and a metal buffet with food dishes were visible, reports AP.
Shapiro is not intimidated
Shapiro, seen as a potential White House candidate for the Democratic Party in 2028, emotionally stated that if Balmer tried to hinder him from doing his job, then he will work even harder and added that the attacker will not prevent him from honoring his faith.
Josh Shapiro's name was floated last year when Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris was to choose her vice president. Ultimately, she selected Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, before being defeated in November by Donald Trump.
Shapiro was elected governor of Pennsylvania in 2022 after defeating an ultra-right-wing candidate supported by Donald Trump.
"I refuse to be trapped in the slavery that someone is trying to impose on me by attacking us as they did here last night. I refuse to let anyone with such evil intentions stop me from doing the work I love," he said.
"We don't yet know the motive of this person," Shapiro added at the press conference. "But we know a few truths. First: this type of violence is not okay. This type of violence is becoming far too common in our society. And I don't care if it comes from one side or the other, directed towards one side or the other, or towards one person or another. It's not okay, and we need to stop it. We need to be better than this," the governor added.
Support from Republicans for the Democratic governor
The attack was immediately condemned by the Republican camp.
"Thank God Governor Shapiro and his family were not harmed in this attack," American Vice President JD Vance posted on X, stating. "Truly disgusting violence, and I hope whoever did it is swiftly brought to justice," he added.
Former Pennsylvania Governor, Republican Mark Schweiker, called the attack a "despicable act of cowardice" and expressed hope that the people of Pennsylvania would join him in prayers for Shapiro.
Another former governor, Tom Ridge, also a Republican, stated that the images of the damage caused to the residence where he lived with his family for eight years were "heartbreaking," and the attack on the official residence was shocking.
"Whoever is responsible for this attack – both against the Shapiro family and our community – must be held accountable."
T.D.