Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, will be charged with attempted homicide, aggravated arson, and terrorism offenses for setting fire to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg, CBS News reported today.
Officials said Balmer hopped a fence bordering the property early Sunday morning while Shapiro and his family were home. According to Spotlight PA, he “forcibly” entered the home with “homemade incendiary devices.” He was taken into custody on Sunday in the Harrisburg area.
Shapiro said at an evening press conference that police do not know “the person’s specific motive yet”.
The Shapiros were unharmed and the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire extinguished the fire, though it caused a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence.
The fire coincided with the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which Shapiro and his family had celebrated at the residence.
Authorities previously offered a reward of up to $10,000 through PSP Tips for the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. Anyone with information is asked to called 1-800-4PA TIPS (1-800-472-8477).
Photo: CBS News