On Sunday, April 13, 2025, the night sky lit up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania as Gov. Josh Shapiro’s family home erupted into flames. The home belonged to Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro. Shapiro and his family were quickly evacuated from their home as their house filled with flames. Fortunately, everyone made it out safely and no one was injured.

AP News states that Shapiro and his family are Jewish. That Saturday evening, they were in the same room that was lit on fire, celebrating the Jewish holiday of Passover with another family and some members of Harrisburg’s Jewish community. State troopers pounded on their door at 2 a.m., allowing Shapiro, his wife, four children, and two dogs to quickly escape while firefighters put out the flames. 

38-year-old Cody Balmer was arrested that afternoon for the incident, reported CBS News. According to Pennsylvania police, Balmer hopped the fence to the property and intentionally set it on fire while the family was home. Dauphin County Pennsylvania District Attorney’s office filed an affidavit where it said Balmer’s motive was his harbored hatred towards Shapiro. Balmer’s mother, Christie Balmer, reported that her son was mentally ill and off of his medication which led to him committing arson. NBC News states that on Monday April 14, Balmer was charged with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person.

Shapiro held a press conference later that day infront of his home where he spoke on the tragedy. He believes it was a targeted attack. Also present at the press conference was District Attorney Fran Chardo who said that Balmer may also face federal charges. 

Amidst the political divide in the country, violence against different beliefs can become more common. People may try to spread their belief by silencing the opposition. But at the end of the day, everyone in this country, regardless of political affiliation, is just trying to get through the day. They have people they love and people who love them. Violence robs people of those they love. Shapiro commented during the press conference that, “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…it is not OK, and it has to stop. We have to be better than this. We have a responsibility to all be better.”