Governor Josh Shapiro of Abington publicly addressed today the intentional fire set to the Governor’s Residence on North Front Street in Harrisburg on Sunday around 2:00am.

“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 this morning. “I was to thank the Pennsylvania State Police for safely evacuating our family, for their bravery last evening, and for their careful investigation of this incident.”

“If he was trying to terrorize our family? Friends, Jewish community who joined us for Passover Seder in that room last night, we celebrated our faith proudly and will do it again tonight, proudly,” he said.

His address is below:

Though the Shapiros were unharmed, the fire caused a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence, officials said yesterday.

According to Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office, Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old man from Harrisburg accused of aggravated arson, terrorism, and attempted homicide, used a hammer to break a window, then threw a Molotov cocktail into the residence to start the fire.

After entering the residence through another window, Balmer started two more fires with two other Molotov cocktails, then fled through a fire door. He was inside the residence for about a minute.

Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer appeared to have carefully planned the attack, and had evaded police who knew there had been a breach. He told police he had planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he found him, and has faced criminal charges over the past decade including simple assault, theft, and forgery, according to online criminal court records.

Representative Madeleine Dean of Glenside posted the following response today:

I am horrified by the violent attack and fire at the Governor’s Residence — and relieved to know that Governor Shapiro and his wife and family were rescued to safety in the middle of the night.

Thank you to federal, state, and local law enforcement and firefighters for the swift response. Law enforcement has already detained a suspect, and as we await a full investigation and prosecution of the individual responsible, I thank God for everyone’s safety.

Last night and tonight, thousands of Jewish Pennsylvanians, including the Shapiro family, gathered to celebrate Passover. Whether or not it was the assailant’s intent to target the Jewish community, the timing of this horrific attack strikes fear into the hearts of Jewish families — which I will always condemn.

As the Governor said today, this violence is unacceptable; as a nation, we must be better than this.

During this holy weekend for millions of Pennsylvanians — with Passover and Palm Sunday — I am praying for the Governor and his family, and for our Commonwealth and country.

Representative Nancy Guenst, whose territory covers Hatboro and a section of Abington Township, said the following in a post:

The recent attack on Governor Shapiro’s residence is appalling and an atrocious act against not only the Governor but the entire Commonwealth. This type of behavior simply cannot be tolerated. I am grateful to the PA State Police, the Capitol Law enforcement, and all of the first responders whose swift action helped keep the families within the house safe from harm. No single person in this country should have to live in fear. My thoughts and prayers go out to Governor Shapiro and his entire family. We must do better.

Cantor Jacob Agar, who serves at Beth Shalom, Governor Josh Shapiro’s longtime synagogue in Elkins Park, told 6ABC, “It’s horrible, people doing stuff like this. We as a synagogue, we stand with their family and we support them.” 

“I think he’s resilient, and he’s a strong leader and that’s what you do. You do what you have to do, no matter what,” Susan Miller of Elkins Park said.

6ABC’s video coverage is below:

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.

Screengrab: CBS News, Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office