Man arrested for arson at Pennsylvania Governor's residence
The police have arrested a man suspected of setting fire to the governor's residence. The fire occurred while the politician's family was asleep. "I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempted to put on me by attacking us as they did last night," Josh Shapiro told American media.
The Pennsylvania State Police have detained Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old resident of Harrisburg, suspected of setting fire to Governor Josh Shapiro's residence. The attack took place on Saturday night during Passover celebrations, forcing the politician's family to evacuate. Balmer has been charged with attempted murder, terrorism, and arson, reports the "New York Post".
Governor Shapiro is Jewish. The politician expressed his emotions regarding the attack, emphasising that it will not intimidate his family or the Jewish community. The politician's wife and four children were safely evacuated.
If he was trying to terrorise 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 - said Shapiro, quoted by CNN. - No one will deter me or my family, or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly.
The police believe that the attack was planned, although the motive has not yet been established. Balmer had homemade incendiary devices with him when he entered the residence grounds. Governor Shapiro condemned political violence, emphasising that such actions are unacceptable and must end. - 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 okay, and it has to stop - Shapiro stated.
According to the "New York Post", Shapiro is one of the leaders of the Democratic Party. He has been serving as the governor of Pennsylvania since 2022. Previously, he was the state's attorney general for six years.
His name is mentioned among the candidates running for the presidency of the United States. He was also mentioned among the candidates for the vice-presidential seat in the event of Kamala Harris winning.
