In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro welcomed the public to the governor’s official residence on Tuesday for an Easter egg hunt, just days after a fire caused by an alleged arsonist damaged part of the building. Shapiro announced his intention to resume living there soon, emphasizing that he refuses to be intimidated by fear.
During the annual Easter egg hunt, Shapiro expressed his determination not to let the incident affect his lifestyle. The event took place on the west lawn, despite ongoing repairs on the building’s damaged east wing. Large trash bins were visible as workers tackled the site, removing damaged construction material from rooms that required significant refurbishment. Many windows remained covered with plywood, although the governor remarked that the smoke odor had dissipated from the living areas. He anticipated that restoration could be completed by mid-summer, though he offered no specific details on security enhancements.
The fire erupted in the middle of the night while Shapiro, his family, and others slept, soon after celebrating Passover with the local Jewish community. No one was injured, thanks to alert state troopers who quickly evacuated the occupants. Nevertheless, the fire, allegedly started by Cody Balmer, caused substantial damage valued in the millions.
Robert Balmer, 38, faces serious charges, including arson, attempted homicide, burglary, and assault. He has been in custody since surrendering himself, with a preliminary hearing planned for May 28 to assess if there is enough evidence for a trial. Although his family insists on his mental illness, Balmer refuted these claims in court. Investigations are ongoing to determine if religious or political biases motivated the act, as Balmer reportedly harbored animosity towards Governor Shapiro.
Police affidavits noted that Balmer allegedly intended violence against Shapiro, stating he would have attacked the governor if confronted inside the residence. In response to the security breach, state police engaged Jeffrey Miller, a previous state police commissioner, to spearhead a comprehensive security review.