Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks Sunday during a news conference at the governor’s official residence. —AP PHOTO/MARC LEVY
An arson fire forced Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family to flee the governor’s official residence in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, last Sunday.
No injuries were reported but the fire left significant damage and forced Shapiro, his family and guests to evacuate the building early Sunday.
The suspect, identified as Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg was arrested nearby later in the day, police said. Court records and interviews with family members show Balmer’s life unraveled dramatically in recent years before authorities say he scaled an iron security fence in the middle of the night, eluded police and set the Democratic governor’s mansion ablaze with two Molotov cocktails.
This alarming attack could have been much worse if the suspect had encountered the governor.
There must also be a thorough investigation on how the suspect was able to enter the governor’s mansion.
In response to the arson attack, state police said an independent expert will review security at Shapiro’s official residence.
In this polarizing time, officials must strengthen security measures for the governor and his family to prevent such an attack from ever happening again.
As authorities work to determine a possible motive, their investigation must figure out whether the arson had anything to do with Shapiro’s politics or religious beliefs.
The suspect said he hated Shapiro and would have beaten him with a small sledgehammer.
The arson suspect called Shapiro a “monster” and cited the governor’s “plans” for Palestinian people, according to his arrest warrant.
The arson suspect, who has been charged with attempted homicide, terrorism and arson, has a history of mental health challenges, his family said.
Shapiro, who is Jewish, is a rising outspoken star within the Democratic Party and was considered as a possible vice presidential candidate for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Political violence cannot be tolerated in America.
Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune