Gov. Josh Shapiro's house set on fire over the holiday weekend

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Cody Balmer, 38, has been identified as the man who set fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion. Balmer scaled the gates of the protected mansion, and with a homemade fire-setting device, lit the mansion ablaze.

Inside the mansion at the time, was Governor Shapiro along with his family (wife, 4 children, and 2 dogs) as well as another family. They joined to celebrate the Jewish holiday Passover.

Days after the event, Governor Shapiro released this message.

“But we do know a few truths. First: This type of violence is not OK. 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. We have to be better than this.”

With there being an approximate increase in anti semitic events in the U.S. by over 300% (ADL.org), the event taking place on Passover has caused shockwaves throughout the Jewish community.

The room that was most impacted by the fire was the very room that Shapiro and his guests gathered earlier that night to celebrate Passover.

Balmer faces charges that include terrorism, aggravated arson and attempted homicide.

Jennae Overton is a first-year student studying community, environment, development and broadcast journalism. To contact her, email jco5323@psu.edu.