Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Key Details on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the Suspected Arson Incident at His Official Residence
  • Local news

Key Details on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the Suspected Arson Incident at His Official Residence

    What to know about Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the alleged arson at his official residence
    Up next
    The 28p food named 'world's most nutritious' could prevent heart disease and diabetes
    “Affordable 28p Superfood Known for Its Heart and Diabetes Prevention Benefits”
    Published on 14 April 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • Christopher Paris,
    • Cody Balmer,
    • Josh Shapiro,
    • Politics,
    • U.S. news
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    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.

    Authorities said they were investigating how someone was able to elude police to break into the governor’s residence in Harrisburg.

    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 became aware someone had climbed over the fence and began a pursuit on the grounds but initially didn’t locate anyone.

    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 declined to elaborate on the device, but 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.

    Suspect faces charges

    Authorities said Balmer will face charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault.

    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.

    Authorities did not say whether Balmer has a lawyer or where he was being held. Calls to people believed to be his relatives went unanswered or unreturned on Sunday. One recent residence listed for him in Harrisburg was condemned in 2022.

    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.

    Shapiro has been outspoken about his Jewish faith.

    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.”

    Attack happened during Passover

    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.

    ___

    Follow Marc Levy on X at https://x.com/timelywriter.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like

    Virginia State Police Officer Suffers Severe Injuries Assisting Motorist

    A Virginia State Police trooper sustained severe injuries when a vehicle collided…
    • Internewscast
    • October 12, 2025
    Mark Kelly: Harris 'would be incredibly strong' for 2028
    • Local news

    Mark Kelly: Harris Poised to Be a Formidable Contender for 2028

    Internet Explorer 11 is no longer supported. For the best browsing experience,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 12, 2025
    Climate activists vandalize Columbus painting in Madrid
    • Local news

    Environmental Protesters Deface Columbus Artwork in Madrid

    IE 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please access our…
    • Internewscast
    • October 12, 2025
    Nor’easter slams East Coast bringing dangerous flooding
    • Local news

    Powerful Nor’easter Hits East Coast, Causes Severe Flooding

    IE 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our…
    • Internewscast
    • October 13, 2025
    The NBA makes a comeback in China with preseason games
    • Local news

    NBA Returns to China with Preseason Matches Back on the Schedule

    IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
    • Internewscast
    • October 12, 2025
    Storm Team 3: Clouds and cool weather continues today before a warm up tomorrow
    • Local news

    Storm Team 3: Cloudy and Cool Today, But Warmer Weather on the Way Tomorrow

    In Savannah, Ga., today promises to be another cool and breezy day…
    • Internewscast
    • October 12, 2025
    BCSO not affiliated with $10,000 reward offered by S.C. attorney
    • Local news

    BCSO Clarifies: Not Linked to $10,000 Reward Given by S.C. Attorney

    A reward of $10,000 has been announced for anyone providing information that…
    • Internewscast
    • October 13, 2025
    Urbana nursery shares safe sleep techniques for children, infants
    • Local news

    Urbana Nursery Teaches Safe Sleeping Methods for Babies and Young Children

    URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) – The staff at Urbana’s Crisis Nursery are dedicated…
    • Internewscast
    • October 12, 2025
    Michigan student remembers dad with photography business
    • Local news

    Michigan Student Honors Late Father Through Photography Business

    HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) Hudsonville High School senior Brendan Hinojosa has been taking…
    • Internewscast
    • October 12, 2025
    'It was part of my childhood'; YouTuber renovating Charleston factory
    • Local news

    “YouTuber Transforms Charleston Factory in a Nostalgic Renovation Project”

    CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Charleston’s Brown Shoe Company building is slowly being…
    • Internewscast
    • October 13, 2025
    Feeling hopeless in custody, many drop claims to remain in the US, leave voluntarily
    • Local news

    Many Detainees Feeling Desperate Give Up on Staying in the U.S. and Choose to Leave

    SEATTLE – Ramón Rodriguez Vazquez dedicated 16 years to farm work in…
    • Internewscast
    • October 12, 2025
    Penn State will pay nearly $50 million to fire the coach who took it to the playoff last season
    • Local news

    Penn State to Spend Almost $50 Million to Dismiss Last Season’s Playoff-Advancing Coach

    Late in the evening of September 27, the Penn State Nittany Lions…
    • Internewscast
    • October 13, 2025
    Mother, 36, celebrated 15 stone weight loss with Turkish tummy tuck op... but  'died and came back to life' after flight home triggered deadly blood clot
    • Health

    36-Year-Old Mother Loses 15 Stone, Undergoes Tummy Tuck in Turkey, and Has Near-Death Experience Due to Blood Clot on Flight Home

    After losing 15 stone (210 lbs), Sarah Dyson felt that she wasn’t…
    • Internewscast
    • October 13, 2025
    Arrest made after jet ski crash injures 2 children in Pinellas County
    • Local news

    Arrest Follows Jet Ski Accident Injuring Two Children in Pinellas County

    MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities reported that a man was arrested…
    • Internewscast
    • October 13, 2025
    President Trump says ‘war is over’ in Gaza
    • Local news

    Former President Trump Announces End of Conflict in Gaza

    IE 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our…
    • Internewscast
    • October 13, 2025
    Antwan Staley: It is time for the Jets to end the Justin Fields experiment
    • News

    Antwan Staley: The Jets Should Consider Moving On from Justin Fields

    After signing him in March, Aaron Glenn said the Jets were going…
    • Internewscast
    • October 13, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.