A Harrisburg man is facing attempted murder and arson charges in a blaze that significantly damaged the Pennsylvania Governor's mansion early Sunday morning, hours after the family celebrated the first night of Passover.
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At a press conference Sunday evening, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania State Police officials announced Cody Balmer, 38, was taken into custody in Harrisburg Sunday afternoon and he will be arraigne on charges, calling the fire a "targeted attack."
Among the charges Balmer faces are terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault, officials said. The FBI is also involved in the investigation and a U.S. Attorney will be reviewing the case.
State Police did not rule out Balmer potentially facing federal charges, as well as state.
"Last night we experienced an attack, not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, here at the governor's residence," Shapiro said Sunday.
Shapiro and his family were in different areas of the residence when the fire broke out around 2 a.m. and were able to evacuate safely, the news release states. They were not injured.
"He acted very surreptitiously," a Pennsylvania State Police officials said.
State police officials said that Balmer jumped a fence around the mansion, near where the press conference Sunday was held, and broke into the mansion where he set off at least one homemade incendiary device, then left the scene back over the fence.
Authorities knew security was breached and they were looking for the man when he set the blaze, an official said. Balmer was in the governor's mansion for roughly one minute, an official said.
"It was a very quick event," a state police official said, adding Balmer allegedly had a clear plan and was 'very methodical" in his approach.
A security review is underway to ensure there is not repeat of the situation, state police said.
Shapiro, at an afternoon news conference, said he was not fearful but concerned for his family. He would not say if he considered it a hate crime, saying he would leave that determination to the investigating authorities.
The governor though, emphasized that while the attack has him emotional and worried about his family, especially his four children, he was not afraid.
"I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that to stop me from doing the work I love," Shapiro said. "I will not be deterred in my work. I have total confidence in the Pennsylvania State Police to keep us safe."
The governor and his family are Jewish and celebrated a traditional Passover Seder dinner at the residence on Saturday night, which is the first night of the high holiday in the Jewish faith, that commemorates the Jewish Exodus from Egypt. Passover concludes at sundown April 20.
