A 38-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an arson at the Pennsylvania governor’s house as the governor and his family slept inside.
Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded to the fire around 2 a.m. and extinguished it, but the building was left with “a significant amount of damage,” according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said that he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family were safely evacuated.
Cody Balmer of Harrisburg was arrested Sunday, Col. Christopher Paris, state police commissioner, said at an afternoon news conference. CNN has reached out to an attorney representing Balmer in another case.
Balmer hasn’t been charged, but Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said he plans to charge him with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. The suspect could also face federal charges, Chardo said.
Balmer also had some “homemade incendiary devices,” Bivens said. The attack was “targeted,” but a specific motive is still unknown, Shapiro added.
Balmer’s arrest comes days before he is expected in court for a plea hearing in a separate case stemming from a 2023 simple assault charge, according to state court records.
Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded to the fire around 2 a.m. and extinguished it, but the building was left with “a significant amount of damage,” according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said that he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family were safely evacuated.
Cody Balmer of Harrisburg was arrested Sunday, Col. Christopher Paris, state police commissioner, said at an afternoon news conference. CNN has reached out to an attorney representing Balmer in another case.
Balmer hasn’t been charged, but Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said he plans to charge him with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. The suspect could also face federal charges, Chardo said.
Balmer also had some “homemade incendiary devices,” Bivens said. The attack was “targeted,” but a specific motive is still unknown, Shapiro added.
Balmer’s arrest comes days before he is expected in court for a plea hearing in a separate case stemming from a 2023 simple assault charge, according to state court records.
