Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's Home Set on Fire While His Family Slept – What Happened After Passover Dinner

The 51-year-old Pennsylvania governor shared an update on his family's safety after a man broke into their residence and set part of the home on fire.

Shortly after celebrating Passover, Governor Josh Shapiro, his wife, their four children, two dogs, and another visiting family were inside the official residence in Harrisburg when a fire broke out early Sunday, April 13, 2025.

According to CNN, the blaze began around 2 a.m. and prompted an urgent response from the Pennsylvania State Police and the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire. Emergency responders evacuated everyone safely, though the fire left what authorities described as "a significant amount of damage."

Authorities arrested the suspect, 38-year-old Cody Balmer of Harrisburg, later that day. State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris confirmed the arrest.

Meanwhile, Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo announced that prosecutors plan to charge Balmer with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault.

Investigators recovered homemade incendiary devices at the scene, and federal prosecutors are also considering additional charges.

NBC News reported that Balmer entered the property while troopers were already searching for him. According to Lt. Col. George Bivens, the suspect "actively evaded" troopers who were securing the grounds, stayed inside the home for less than a minute, and climbed back over the fence to escape.

Troopers later took him into custody that afternoon in Harrisburg. Officials have since launched a full security review to examine how the breach occurred despite the police presence.

NBC also reported that Balmer has a criminal history in Pennsylvania. Court records show that he pleaded guilty to forgery and theft in 2015, again to forgery in 2016, and faces an open assault charge filed in 2023. Photos from the scene showed scorched walls, blackened ceilings, ash-covered floors, and destroyed furniture.

Among the debris, investigators found remnants of the Shapiro family's Passover dinner held the night before, including a handmade "Passover Crafts" sign.

In a statement posted to X, Shapiro described being woken by banging at the door and praised first responders for their swift action. "Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe," he said. He said the Pennsylvania State Police are leading the investigation.

At a press conference, Shapiro denounced the rising normalization of violence in society. While the motive behind the arson remains unclear, he made it clear that "this type of violence is not okay."

He emphasized the need for collective responsibility, stating bluntly, "We have to be better than this. We have a responsibility to all be better."

He also reflected on the personal impact of the incident, saying he would continue to serve as governor while supporting his family, who were "obviously traumatized" by the attack.

Shapiro reaffirmed his commitment to public service and thanked the law enforcement officers whose fast response helped mitigate the trauma. "They were here within seconds and they did an extraordinary job," Shapiro said.

After sharing his thoughts, Shapiro later provided additional updates through Colonel Paris, who described the investigation as "very active and dynamic," noting that authorities are pursuing all leads and working through what he called a "large and complex" crime scene.

State leaders and lawmakers responded swiftly. Attorney General Pamela Bondi expressed relief that the Shapiro family was unharmed and praised first responders for their quick actions and the arrest made "just hours" after the incident.

Senator John Fetterman called the attack "truly appalling" and stressed that those responsible must be held accountable "to the fullest extent of the law."

New York’s 8th Congressional District Congressman Hakeem Jeffries condemned the arson as "horrific" and "unconscionable," particularly because it targeted a Jewish family on the first night of Passover. He called political violence "never acceptable" and urged full prosecution for those involved.

Shapiro has served as the 48th governor of Pennsylvania since January 2023. In his first 18 months in office, he has prioritized bipartisan cooperation, delivering major policy wins in education, public safety, and economic development despite leading a politically divided state legislature.

He began his term by signing an executive order eliminating degree requirements for most state jobs, and expanding access to government employment.

He also enacted a bipartisan law mandating free cancer screenings for high-risk women, invested in public education at record levels, and added hundreds of new State Police troopers.

Shapiro's administration has emphasized efficient governance and accessibility. He launched automatic voter registration and created CODE PA, a digital services team aimed at modernizing state tools and systems.

Under his leadership, a section of I-95 was rebuilt in just 12 days — months ahead of expert projections.

His criminal justice reforms have focused on rehabilitation and re-entry, and he has consistently advocated for individual freedom and opportunity across all communities.

Before becoming governor, Shapiro served as Pennsylvania's attorney general, Montgomery County commissioner, and state representative.

He and his wife, Lori, have four children: Sophia, Jonah, Max, and Reuben. Shapiro credits his parents — both public servants — for inspiring his own commitment to community and service.

While officials in Pennsylvania dealt with a suspected arson at the governor's home, California authorities responded to a similar case tied to the Kenneth Fire earlier this year.

On January 10, a Senior National Correspondent from News Nation named Brian Entin reported that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) informed him that the Kenneth Fire was being investigated as arson.

Entin also said police officials have a suspect in custody. Several minutes later, the news correspondent posted a video on X further confirming his initial statement. The video showed LAPD Senior Lead Officer Charles Dinsel speaking to News Nation about the situation.

"What we know right now is that the incident occurred, it started here, and about 20 minutes/30 minutes later, a suspect was detained over in Woodland [sic] Hills area by citizens," divulged Officer Dinsel.

The reporter interviewing the officer then asked if this meant someone had purposefully started the Kenneth Fire. Charles responded, "At this time that's what we believe, yes."

At the time, police officials did not know the suspect’s exact intentions, but Officer Dinsel made it clear that the location of the incident had been designated a crime scene.

Apart from reiterating what Officer Dinsel had mentioned during the news interview, Entin updated the public in his video caption that the Kenneth Fire's burned acreage had reached over 800.

As the police senior lead mentioned, the suspect was apprehended by residents in a Woodland Hills neighborhood. Video footage showing the suspect being arrested by police officers was posted online by a civilian named Renata Grinshpun, who had witnessed the incident.

While speaking to KTLA 5 about what happened, Grinshpun revealed, "We were sitting in the backyard and suddenly, we hear a car come to a screeching halt and the guy is running out saying, 'Stop! Drop what you're holding! Neighbors, he's trying to start a fire! Call 911!'"

Upon hearing the commotion from their homes, neighbors rallied together to corner the man, who Grinshpun said had what appeared to be a big "propane tank or a flamethrower," and hold him down. This happened after one resident spotted the suspect attempting to light an object on fire behind a car.

"A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. They got some zip ties, a rope and we were able to do a citizens' arrest," shared Grinshpun.

Affecting the counties of Los Angeles and Ventura, the 960-acre Kenneth Fire began on January 9 around 3:34 p.m., according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).

Evacuation warnings for the zones between Vanowen South and Burbank Blvd., and from County Lane Road East to E Valley Circle Blvd. were issued, and those with pets or livestock who required additional time to evacuate were advised to do so immediately.

On their website, CAL FIRE noted that evacuations were being updated frequently, and civilians were advised to check the LA City Evacuation Map for the warning area, as the Kenneth Fire spread rapidly in the West Hills of Los Angeles County.

Regarding the overall situation of the Kenneth Fire, CAL FIRE stated, "Fanned by strong Santa Ana winds, the fire threatens nearby communities and infrastructure, prompting swift evacuation orders. Firefighters from Los Angeles and Ventura counties are actively engaged in containment efforts, deploying both ground crews and aerial resources."

The department also noted, "The challenging terrain and persistent winds complicate suppression activities, necessitating heightened vigilance from residents and adherence to directives from local authorities."

The Kenneth Fire was only one of the various wildfires that set California ablaze, as CAL FIRE reported on the impact of numerous others that destroyed over 10,000 structures and prompted 13,926 total emergency responses.

Apart from the Kenneth Fire, which had a containment level of 0%, there was the Palisades Fire, which began on January 7 and burned 19,978 acres with only 6% containment.

The Eaton Fire, which started on the same day as the Palisades Fire, spanned 13,690 acres, none of which was contained.

Meanwhile, the January 7 Hurst Fire burned 771 acres and reached 37% containment, while the 394-acre Lidia Fire, which began on January 8, had a containment level of 75%.

Regarding the severity and frequency of the wildfires, CAL FIRE highlighted that although California experienced a "higher-than-usual number of fires this year," the total acreage burned (29,053) is below the five-year average, even though it exceeds the burned acreage from last year (2024).

"Following recent rainfall that has moderated fire activity, CAL FIRE is transitioning to Winter Preparedness staffing levels statewide. This adjustment aligns with a seasonal decrease in fire activity and aims to strategically optimize resources as fire risks lessen during the cooler months," explained the department.

However, CAL FIRE also acknowledged, "Forecasts indicate that above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation will persist through February, sustaining elevated fire risk, particularly in Southern California. An increased frequency of offshore wind events may also heighten fire concerns in specific areas."

Nevertheless, the department made it clear that they were committed to remaining vigilant and prepared to tackle any challenges posed by the elevated fire risk. It was also noted that the wildfire statistics mentioned were subject to change as the situation continued to unfold.

Although first responders did their best to mitigate the devastation, the wildfires had already claimed lives. According to an update shared by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the death toll had risen to ten.

At the time, to make matters worse, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said he expected the number to grow. "I don't expect good news, and we're not looking forward to those numbers," added Luna during a press conference.