The suspect said he will be charged with attempted murder and terrorist crimes after evacuating Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family on Sunday in an overnight fire at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence in Harrisburg.
Officials said 38-year-old Cody Ballmer bouncing off the fence and deliberately set the governor’s residence on fire early Sunday morning. Ballmer of Harrisburg is expected to be charged with attempted murder, terrorism and worsening arson, officials said. He was taken into custody in the Harrisburg area on Sunday.
Shapiro said the attack was targeted, but authorities still don’t know Ballmer’s specific motivation.
“This kind of violence is becoming too common in our society,” Shapiro said. “And if it’s coming from a certain side, directed at a particular party or another person, I don’t mind. It’s not ok, it has to be stopped. We need to be better than this.
Ballmer’s mother, Christy Ballmer, told CBS News that her son was “a mental illness and he took off his medicine.”
Christie Ballmer attempted to “pick up” his son last week and contacted four different police stations, but “no one could help him. He was mentally ill and took off his medicine. This happened.”
State police said Harrisburg Fire Department crews went to the governor’s residence on North Front Street in Dauphin County around 2am Sunday to ask for a report of the fire.
Pennsylvania Federation
Shapiro said he and his family were sleeping at home when the fire broke out. The Pennsylvania governor said he was woken up to his bangs at the door by Pennsylvania police. Shapiro, his wife, Lori, and his children, along with two dogs and relatives who stay with them, evacuated the governor’s residence when the Harrisburg firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.
The Pennsylvania governor said no one was injured and the fire was in control.
The fire came after Shapiro, a Jew, and his family celebrated the first night of Passover. Shapiro refused to call fire a hate crime, but Flame said he was not discouraged from doing his job or celebrating his faith.
“I’m not afraid,” Shapiro said. “I’m clearly emotional. I’m worried about my family. I’m fine with my kids. Last night, when we gathered together with our community, family and friends, we talked about Passover. It’s a story of bondage from slavery to freedom. At night, I refuse to do the job that anyone with such evil intentions refuses to do the job that I love, stop me from being the leader of this federal family, and I’m not afraid to do that job.
Pennsylvania State Police Forces are investigating the fire and they said they caused great damage to parts of the home. The agency offers $10,000 in compensation through PSP tips for arrests and convictions in the investigation.
State police are encouraged to call 1-800-4PA tips (1-800-472-8477) to anyone with information related to the fire.
Pennsylvania Federation 
The governor’s residence was built on the Susquehanna River and is said to be a 29,000-square-foot Georgian style home designed by architect George Ewing.
The home houses eight governors and their families, according to the state website.
Shapiro spoke with FBI Director Kash Patel and said he had promised all the resources needed to investigate.
“Lori and I are overwhelmed by the prayer and support we have received from all over Pennsylvania and across the country,” said an emotional Shapiro. “We have heard it from fellow governors and first spouses. We have heard it from some of the former governors of Pennsylvania. We have heard it from many friends and loved ones. We have heard it from many caring citizens of this great Federation. Lift your prayers.
Who is Cody Ballmer and how did he enter the Pennsylvania Governor’s residence?
Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Ballmer climbed the fence and “evaded the troopers.”
Bivens said Balmer broke into the Pennsylvania governor’s residence and launched a fire with a homemade grilled Cen device.
It is unclear whether Ballmer knew the layout of the Pennsylvania governor’s residence, but according to Bivens, he took less than a minute.
“This is all part of an ongoing investigation. From a layout standpoint, I’ll tell him that he clearly had a plan,” Bivens said. “He had a very orderly approach, a very orderly and planned way, and he rushed and made it, although for a very short period of time.”
A security review is currently underway to find out how Ballmer can input and output after allegedly causing a fire. There is also additional security at Shapiro and the Pennsylvania governor’s residence following the incident, officials said.
Pennsylvania leaders respond after the governor’s residential fire
Pennsylvania Federation 
Leaders from the federal and surrounding area have posted a statement on social media regarding the fires, the safety of the Shapiro family and the response of emergency crews.
In a statement, Attorney General Dave Sunday praised the First Responders for their prompt action, saying his office is “prepared for the resources needed to find the perpetrators of this meaningless act of violence.”
Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge posted on social media that he and his wife are grateful that Shapiro’s family has given it safely, saying, “The images showing damage to the house we lived with our kids for nearly eight years is heartbreaking.” Another former federal leader, Gov. Mark Schweeker, called the fire, is investigating the state police as arson, a “spicy coronavirus act.”
Lt. Col. Austin Davis posted his feelings on social media, writing in part, “I don’t speculate about my motivations, but I say that it’s never acceptable to target violence by targeting elected officials and their families.”
“Comic violence aimed at causing fear has no place in our federation,” said Democrat Speaker Joanna McClinton, a Democrat.
New Jersey Senator Andy Kim also denounced the fire, writing that “violence is never tolerated.”
“On behalf of all members of the Philadelphia City Council, we are pleased that Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family are safe after the heinous act of arson,” said Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
