President Donald Trump responds to arson attack at Pennsylvania governor’s mansion
The attacker basically wasn’t *** fan of anybody. It’s probably just *** whack job, and certainly *** thing like that cannot be allowed to happen. So, so I see you.
President Donald Trump responds to arson attack at Pennsylvania governor’s mansion
Updated: 1:50 PM EDT Apr 14, 2025
President Donald Trump responded to an arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion that happened early Sunday morning as Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping inside.”The attacker basically wasn’t a fan of anybody, probably just a whack job,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. “Certainly a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen.”Suspect arrestedCody Balmer, 38, of Penbrook Borough, Dauphin County is charged with attempted murder, terrorism, and aggravated arson after allegedly setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence early Sunday morning. Authorities say Balmer scaled the fence, broke windows using a hammer, and threw Molotov cocktails inside, igniting fires in the piano and dining rooms. Shapiro and his family were evacuated safely, but the fire caused extensive damage.Balmer was inside the mansion for less than a minute before fleeing over the fence. He was later turned in by an ex-partner and confessed to the crime, expressing hatred for Shapiro, court documents state.Police recovered evidence, including a jacket, a hammer, and a gasoline-filled bag from Balmer’s home, according to the documents.
WASHINGTON —President Donald Trump responded to an arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion that happened early Sunday morning as Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping inside.
“The attacker basically wasn’t a fan of anybody, probably just a whack job,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. “Certainly a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen.”
Suspect arrested
Cody Balmer, 38, of Penbrook Borough, Dauphin County is charged with attempted murder, terrorism, and aggravated arson after allegedly setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence early Sunday morning.
Authorities say Balmer scaled the fence, broke windows using a hammer, and threw Molotov cocktails inside, igniting fires in the piano and dining rooms.
Shapiro and his family were evacuated safely, but the fire caused extensive damage.
Balmer was inside the mansion for less than a minute before fleeing over the fence. He was later turned in by an ex-partner and confessed to the crime, expressing hatred for Shapiro, court documents state.
Police recovered evidence, including a jacket, a hammer, and a gasoline-filled bag from Balmer’s home, according to the documents.
