A 38-year-old man has been arrested following a suspected arson attack on the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg. The governor and his family were safely evacuated, while authorities say the suspect may face terrorism and attempted murder charges.
Police in Pennsylvania have arrested Cody Balmer, 38, in connection with an arson fire that broke out early Sunday morning at Governor Josh Shapiro’s home in Harrisburg. The blaze caused significant damage to the residence, which is located about 100 miles west of Philadelphia.
Emergency officials confirmed that Governor Shapiro, his wife, their four children, and two family dogs were safely evacuated.
According to Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police, the suspect climbed over a fence, forcibly entered the home, and set it on fire using homemade incendiary devices. “He clearly had a plan,” Bivens said. “He was very methodical in his approach.”
Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo stated that Balmer is expected to face multiple charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault. The FBI’s Philadelphia division is assisting with the investigation, and federal charges may also be filed.
Governor Shapiro, 51, addressed the media later that day, calling the act a “targeted attack,” although the specific motive remains unclear. The incident occurred during the Jewish holiday of Passover.
“If he was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community who joined us for a Passover Seder in that room last night, hear me on this: we celebrated our faith last night proudly, and in a few hours, we will celebrate our second Seder of Passover,” Shapiro said.
The governor emphasized that no act of violence would deter him or his family from practicing their faith or fulfilling their public responsibilities. “I’m not fearful,” he stated. “This was not just an attack on our family — it was an attack on the entire commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
A Russian drone strike on a passenger train in northeastern Ukraine killed five people, prosecutors said on Tuesday, an attack denounced as terrorism ...
Three Dutch parties have agreed to form a minority coalition that will install D66 leader Rob Jetten as the country’s youngest prime minister....
Storm Chandra brought severe flooding and widespread disruption to parts of Ireland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday, as strong winds and heavy rain sw...
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has assured Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Riyadh will not permit its airspace or territory to be use...
The S&P 500 edged to a record closing high on Tuesday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as strong advances in technology stocks offset a sh...
Storm Chandra brought severe flooding and widespread disruption to parts of Ireland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday, as strong winds and heavy rain swept across the island.
The S&P 500 edged to a record closing high on Tuesday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as strong advances in technology stocks offset a sharp selloff in healthcare shares and a mixed batch of corporate earnings.
The European Parliament has delayed until next week a decision on whether to resume work on the EU–U.S. trade deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Washington would withdraw its support for Iraq if former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki is returned to power, citing concerns over governance, stability and regional influence.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected a U.S. magazine report on the death toll during January unrest. Nationwide protests erupted in response to soaring inflation and a national currency crisis.
The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has climbed to 6,126, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, often viewed as a bellwether for the complex diplomatic currents between the Kremlin and the West, has issued a startling prediction regarding the endgame of the war in Ukraine.
The strategic axis between Israel and Azerbaijan has been significantly reinforced this week as President Ilham Aliyev received Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in Baku.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday that Europe is "incapable" of defending itself alone without the United States, dismissing calls for a separate European defence force and stressing that transatlantic cooperation remains essential for the continent’s security.
A Russian drone strike on a passenger train in northeastern Ukraine killed five people, prosecutors said on Tuesday, an attack denounced as terrorism by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Three Dutch parties have agreed to form a minority coalition that will install D66 leader Rob Jetten as the country’s youngest prime minister.
Storm Chandra brought severe flooding and widespread disruption to parts of Ireland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday, as strong winds and heavy rain swept across the island.
Nigeria’s army says troops have rescued 11 kidnap victims during a late-night operation on the Kaduna–Abuja highway after tracking militants moving captives through forested terrain.
The European Parliament has delayed until next week a decision on whether to resume work on the EU–U.S. trade deal.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment