{"id":2423303,"date":"2025-04-14T12:38:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T16:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/shocking-photos-emerge-of-pennsylvania-gov-josh-shapiro-arson-attack\/"},"modified":"2025-04-14T12:39:37","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T16:39:37","slug":"shocking-photos-emerge-of-pennsylvania-gov-josh-shapiro-arson-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/shocking-photos-emerge-of-pennsylvania-gov-josh-shapiro-arson-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"Shocking photos emerge of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro arson attack"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fshocking-photos-emerge-of-pennsylvania-gov-josh-shapiro-arson-attack%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2423303&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A 38-year-old man named Cody balmer was arrested for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jews-are-literally-being-singled-out-and-attacked-on-the-streets\/\" title=\"Jews Are Literally Being Singled Out And Attacked On The Streets\">allegedly setting fire<\/a> to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro\u2019s residence in Harrisburg. Court documents reveal that Balmer intended to attack Shapiro with a sledgehammer if he had found him. Teh arson occured overnight while Shapiro adn his family were present during the Jewish holiday of Passover, forcing them to evacuate the 29,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/anti-israel-billionaire-shutters-beverly-hills-hiking-trails-to-build-mega-mansion\/\" title=\"Anti-Israel Billionaire Shutters Beverly Hills Hiking Trails To Build Mega ...\">000-square-foot mansion<\/a> unharmed. Balmer scaled a nearly seven-foot security fence with Molotov cocktails made from beer bottles filled with gasoline. He faces serious <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">charges including attempted homicide<\/a> and aggravated arson. While the motive for his attack remains unclear, it has been noted that he harbored animosity towards shapiro and had a history of criminal activity. The governor responded to the incident by emphasizing the unacceptability of violence and the need for societal betterment. Balmer is currently receiving medical treatment under police supervision and will be arraigned following his recovery.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Shocking photos of arson attack emerge as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/missouri-gop-lawmaker-stresses-need-to-pursue-spending-cuts-over-tax-raises-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Missouri GOP lawmaker stresses need to pursue \u2018spending cuts\u2019 over tax raises - Washington Examiner\">police reveal suspect wanted<\/a> to beat Shapiro with hammer<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2091738\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3379040\/suspect-arrested-arson-attack-shapiro-mansion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">suspect<\/a> who set fire to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3378952\/josh-shapiro-fire-pennsylvania-governor-mansion-family-evacuated-arson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> Gov. Josh Shapiro&rsquo;s<\/a> (D-PA) governor&rsquo;s residence <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/columnists\/3379240\/josh-shapiro-arson-attack-pennsylvania-governors-residence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">planned to beat <\/a>him with a small sledge hammer if he found him, court documents said.<\/p>\n<p>The man, 38-year-old Cody Balmer of Harrisburg, entered Shapiro&rsquo;s home on Sunday and lit it on fire with Molotov cocktails, forcing the governor, his family, and guests to evacuate the 29,000-square-foot mansion.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3379040\/suspect-arrested-arson-attack-shapiro-mansion\/\">Suspect arrested after arson attack on Shapiro&#8217;s mansion<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3378975\/wisconsin-teen-killed-parents-plot-assassinate-trump\/\">Wisconsin teenager allegedly killed parents as part of plot to assassinate Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3378952\/josh-shapiro-fire-pennsylvania-governor-mansion-family-evacuated-arson\/\">Josh Shapiro and family evacuated from home after &#8216;arsonist&#8217; sets fire to mansion<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Balmer has been arrested and is facing charges including attempted homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A charred piano, left, is visible inside the Pennsylvania governor&rsquo;s official residence after a man was arrested in the alleged arson that forced Gov. Shapiro, his family, and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, Apr. 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo\/Marc Levy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Balmer told police during an interview that if he had found Shapiro he would have beaten him with the hammer, though did not elaborate on his hatred towards him. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Balmer admitted to harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro,&rdquo; a police affidavit said.<\/p>\n<p>He walked an hour to Shapiro&rsquo;s residence with beer bottles filled with gasoline, fashioned into flammable Molotov cocktails. Balmer hopped a nearly 7-foot fence surrounding the property, evaded officers, and quickly set fire to the residence before leaving. The occupants of the mansion were evacuated out around 2 a.m. unharmed and firefighters extinguished the fire.<\/p>\n<p>The motivation for the attack is unclear, but it occurred in the same room where Shapiro celebrated Passover with members of Harrisburg&rsquo;s Jewish community on Saturday night. The governor said he will only work harder and is not afraid to observe his faith because of the attack.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When we were in the state dining room last night, we told the story of Passover and the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt to freedom,&rdquo; Shapiro said. &ldquo;I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us as they did here last night. I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cody Balmer has been identified as the man who scaled a security fence in the middle of the night to break into the Pennsylvania governor&rsquo;s mansion and set a fire that left significant damage. (Courtesy Shapiro&rsquo;s office)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Shapiro said he doesn&rsquo;t know the suspect&rsquo;s motives but that the violence, which caused a fire that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/100-days-attacks-protests-and-an-alleged-assassination-attempt-later-the-supreme-court-leaker-remains-unknown\/\" title=\"100 Days, Attacks, Protests, And An Alleged Assassination Attempt Later, The Supreme Court Leaker Remains Unknown\">inflicted significant damage<\/a> on the property, is unacceptable. &ldquo;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. And I don&rsquo;t give a damn if it&rsquo;s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another or one particular person or another. It is not OK, and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Balmer has a criminal record, including charges of simple assault, theft, and forgery.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Josh Shapiro assesses the damage to the governor&rsquo;s residence after he, his family, and guests had to evacuate at 2:00 a.m. after an arsonist set fire to it. (Courtesy Gov. Shapiro&rsquo;s office)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The suspect has been critical of the government, urging people to &ldquo;become ungovernable.&rdquo; He reposted artwork of a Molotov cocktail in 2022 with the slogan &ldquo;Be the light you want to see in the world.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He criticized former President Joe Biden in the past, sharing posts that shed doubt on whether he won in 2020 and a picture with the text &ldquo;Joe Biden owes me 2 grand&rdquo; and a post that said, &ldquo;Biden supporters shouldn&rsquo;t exist.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Balmer also slammed both parties in 2020, reposting a meme that argued that both Democrats and Republicans &ldquo;would rather argue with each other than work to solve the problems we are facing.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3312070\/lawsuits-targeting-trump-executive-orders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>HERE ARE THE LAWSUITS TARGETING TRUMP&rsquo;S EXECUTIVE ORDERS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Due to an unrelated medical event, Balmer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abc27.com\/local-news\/harrisburg\/arson-suspect-in-governors-residence-fire-in-hospital-following-arrest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">has been transported<\/a> to a local hospital. He is receiving treatment and is under police supervision.<\/p>\n<p>Police told ABC 27 he will be transported to the Dauphin County Prison for arraignment following his release from the hospital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2091738\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2091738\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arson suspect wanted to attack Gov. Shapiro with a hammer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2423304,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shapiro.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[52342,37061,5836,53416],"class_list":["post-2423303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-arson-attack","tag-josh-shapiro","tag-pennsylvania","tag-shocking-photos"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shapiro.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2423303"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423303\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2423307,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423303\/revisions\/2423307"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2423304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2423303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2423303"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2423303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}