Arson at Pennsylvania Governor's Residence Forces Shapiro Family to Evacuate; No One Injured
The Governor's Residence in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, caught fire at about 2 a.m. on April 13. The Pennsylvania State Police said the same day that the fire was an act of arson: it was extinguished, but a portion of the residence sustained significant damage. Governor Josh Shapiro and his family, who were in a different part of the residence, were evacuated safely and were not injured.
In a statement issued that day, Shapiro said that at about 2 a.m. he and his family woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police, that Harrisburg Bureau of Fire crews worked to put out the fire while the family was evacuated safely by state police assisted by Capitol Police, and he added: "Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished." The night before the fire, the Shapiro family had celebrated the first-night Passover seder at the residence with another family.
At a news conference in front of the residence that afternoon, State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris identified the man in custody as Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg. Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer climbed over the residence fence, evaded troopers who were searching for the intruder, entered the residence carrying homemade incendiary devices and set the fire, spending less than a minute inside before fleeing; he was arrested later that day. Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo said Balmer would be charged with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault.
Speaking at the same news conference, Shapiro said: "This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society. And I don't give a damn if it's coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another. It is not OK and it has to stop." He added: "We celebrated our faith last night proudly and in a few hours we will celebrate our second seder of Passover, again, proudly. No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly."
The State Police said Troop H is spearheading a multi-agency investigation and offered a reward of up to $10,000 through PSP Tips for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The investigation is ongoing and no motive has been announced. (Source: Pennsylvania State Police)
Source: Pennsylvania State Police
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于宾夕法尼亚州哈里斯堡市的州长官邸（资料图，摄于纵火案之前）。图：Niagara，CC BY 3.0，via Wikimedia Commons / Photo: The Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (file photo, taken before the arson). Photo: Niagara, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
