The suspect who set fire to Pennsylvania's Jewish Governor Josh Shapiro's residence was motivated by the governor's pro-Israel positions, ABC reported on Wednesday. The arson attack occurred late Sunday night, hours after a Passover Seder celebration and while Shapiro's family was inside the residence.

Court documents reveal that the suspect, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, committed the act "because of what he perceived as injustice toward the Palestinian people." Investigation findings show that less than an hour after the incident, Balmer called emergency services and told the dispatcher he "would not take part in Shapiro's plans regarding what he wants to do to Palestinians."

Though police have not officially released information about the motive, one of the search warrants stated that Balmer targeted Shapiro because of "injustices toward Palestinians."

Earlier this week, investigators revealed that Balmer admitted during questioning that "he harbors hatred toward Governor Shapiro," according to court documents. Balmer told investigators that if he had found Shapiro, he would have struck him with the hammer he was carrying.

According to court documents obtained by the New York Post, Balmer confessed to draining fuel from a lawnmower and filling two beer bottles with it to create improvised Molotov cocktails. The suspect walked approximately an hour from his home to the governor's mansion, scaled the perimeter iron fence, broke two windows using a hammer, and threw the firebombs inside.

The attack took place Sunday at 2 a.m. while Shapiro and his family were asleep in the residence. The governor and his family, along with another family staying at the house, were safely evacuated by state police, and no injuries were reported. Just hours before the attack, Shapiro had shared a photograph of his family's Passover Seder table on social media.

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A Pennsylvania man has been charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder and terrorism, after turning himself into authorities for setting fire to the Governor's Residence while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were inside following their Passover seder, CBS News reports. The suspect admitted to investigators he was "harboring hatred" toward the governor, according to court documents filed in Dauphin County.

Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, voluntarily surrendered to authorities after allegedly jumping a fence and deliberately starting the fire around 2 a.m. on April 13. According to charging documents, Pennsylvania State Police were contacted by a woman who described Balmer as her "ex-paramour" and told officers he had confessed to her and wanted to be turned in to police.

Shortly after the woman's report, Balmer went directly to the Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters on Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg and, according to court documents, told a trooper he had set the fire and wanted to surrender himself. The Shapiro family had just celebrated the first night of Passover inside the residence the evening before the attack. The governor confirmed Sunday that no one was injured.

Court documents show Balmer has been charged with criminal homicide (attempted murder), terrorism, aggravated arson, aggravated assault, burglary, and additional offenses. Following his arraignment Monday evening, a judge denied bail. Pennsylvania State Police stated earlier Monday that Balmer received medical treatment at a hospital for "a medical event not related to this incident or his arrest."

Last night at the Governor's Residence, we experienced an attack not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This kind of violence has become far too common in our society, and it has to stop. pic.twitter.com/5HP5JSvgfc

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 13, 2025

 During police questioning after his surrender, Balmer admitted he harbored hatred toward Shapiro, removed gasoline from a lawn mower, poured it into beer bottles, walked an hour to the Governor's Residence, and threw the homemade Molotov cocktails into the home, the criminal complaint states. Balmer acknowledged to investigators he knew the Shapiro family might be home at the time.

When asked what he would have done if confronted by the governor inside the residence, Balmer reportedly told police he would have "beaten him with his hammer." During a search of Balmer's home, investigators discovered the sledgehammer seen in surveillance footage, along with clothes Balmer wore during the attack.

Governor Shapiro expressed gratitude on social media Monday, stating: "This weekend, our family witnessed the incredible bravery and excellence of our first responders. The entire Shapiro family is eternally grateful for the @PAStatePolice troopers who safely evacuated our family from danger, the firefighters who quickly put out the fire at the Governor's Residence, and the law enforcement officials who've worked to investigate this attack."

Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline estimated the damage to the historic residence will cost millions. The 29,000-square-foot home, completed in 1968 along the Susquehanna River waterfront, houses numerous historic artworks and furniture pieces.

"[Balmer] is a domestic terrorist," Enterline declared. "And I hope he spends a lot of time behind jail for the heinous acts that he performed here in our capital city that put not only the first family, but my firefighters at risk."

President Donald Trump condemned the attack from the Oval Office on Monday. "The attacker basically wasn't a fan of anybody, probably just a whack job," Trump said. "And certainly a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen."

Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens explained Sunday that before turning himself in, the suspected arsonist had scaled a fence and "evaded troopers" searching the property before the fire started. Security footage captured a man, later confirmed to be Balmer, breaking a window in the residence's piano room and throwing a homemade Molotov cocktail inside. Court documents indicate Balmer then broke another window, entered the residence, and ignited another incendiary device in the dining room.

Balmer, a longtime Harrisburg resident, served eight years as a construction equipment repairer in the Army Reserve, according to an Army spokesperson cited by CBS News. Public records suggest an unstable background, including custody disputes over his children and a near home foreclosure.

Christie Balmer, the suspect's mother, told CBS News that her son is "mentally ill and he went off his medication" before attacking the Governor's Residence, claiming she had unsuccessfully tried to get her son "picked up" by four different police departments last week. "So he was mentally ill, went off his meds, and this is what happened," she said.

Balmer's next court appearance is scheduled for April 23. State police officials have launched a security review of the incident.

The post Feeling the heat: Arsonist surrenders, admits to targeting Governor Shapiro appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Last night at about 2AM, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg.

The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene and while they worked to put out the fire, we were…

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 13, 2025

"Last night at about 2AM, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg," Shapiro wrote. "Thank God no one was hurt and the fire was extinguished." According to reports, the arson attack led to the family being evacuated from the home.

Just hours before the fire, Shapiro posted a picture of his family's Passover Seder table. A senior and popular Democratic governor from a key swing state, Shapiro is among the leading names mentioned as a potential presidential candidate in 2028. He was also floated as a possible running mate for Kamala Harris in the previous election cycle.

From the Shapiro family's Seder table to yours, happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach! pic.twitter.com/2II1Id1W23

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 12, 2025

"While the fire was successfully extinguished, it caused significant damage to parts of the residence," local police said in a statement. They added that "the investigation is ongoing, but at this stage, it is being treated as arson."

"Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities," Shapiro said. "Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe," he added in his post.

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A campaign to prevent Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro from becoming Kamala Harris's running mate in her presidential bid is gaining traction, according to a report by the Times of Israel. The effort, which includes an article in The New Republic and a dedicated website called "No Genocide Josh," has sparked accusations of antisemitism due to its focus on Shapiro's stance on Israel.

The Times of Israel reports that Harris is expected to announce her vice presidential pick by Tuesday, with speculation mounting that Shapiro could be the choice. This has intensified efforts to block his selection, particularly from left-wing groups critical of his support for Israel.

Critics argue that Shapiro, who is Jewish, stands out among potential running mates for his vocal defense of Israel and concerns about antisemitism on college campuses. David Klion, writing in The New Republic, claimed Shapiro "stands out among the current field of potential running mates as being egregiously bad on Palestine."

However, supporters of Shapiro, including Jewish and non-Jewish commentators and Democratic members of Congress, contend that he is being unfairly singled out. They point out that other potential candidates – Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly – also have pro-Israel records but haven't faced similar criticism.

California Representative Adam Schiff tweeted, "Singling him out, or applying a double standard to him over the war in Gaza, is antisemitic and wrong." Schiff, who is Jewish, added, "Don't go there."

There are several incredible options for vice president. The superb Governor of Pennsylvania, @JoshShapiroPA, is one of them.

Singling him out, or applying a double standard to him over the war in Gaza, is antisemitic and wrong.

Don't go there.

— Adam Schiff (@AdamSchiff) August 1, 2024

The controversy has highlighted broader tensions within the Democratic Party over Israel policy. The Democratic Socialists of America, which recently made anti-Zionism a litmus test for endorsements, is among the groups opposing Shapiro's potential selection.

Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said, "They can criticize him on policy – that debate is healthy. But when it's only the Jewish candidate being targeted with name-calling and personal attacks related to Israel, we need to be clear about how dangerous that is and not give cover to it."

Shapiro has been outspoken in blaming Hamas for the war while advocating for a two-state solution. He has also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the conflict, calling him one of the worst leaders in the world.

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