Police have arrested a man suspected of setting alight Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home Saturday night, and authorities say he will be charged with attempted murder and terrorism.
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris later identified the man in custody as Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg.
“We don’t know the person’s specific motive yet,” said a visibly frustrated Shapiro in an emotionally charged press conference. “But we do know a few truths. First, this type of violence is not OK. This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society. I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one party or another, or one person or another, it is not OK. It has to stop. We have to be better than this.”
Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo said the man will be charged with attempted murder, terrorism, attempted arson and aggravated assault.
Shapiro said he and his family were woken up just after 2 a.m. to state police banging on their door after a fire to the governor’s residence in Harrisburg.