Pa. Gov. Shapiro says home security 'will be stronger' in future after arson attack

Ford Turner, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Apr 16, 2025

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HERSHEY, Pa. — Gov. Josh Shapiro said Wednesday his main focus has been on being a "good Dad, a good husband, and a good governor, in that order" since a middle-of-the-night arson attack on his Harrisburg residence Sunday that he and his family escaped.

Shapiro's comments came after an appearance at a Hershey Co. corporate event, three days after the horrific attack. Shapiro said it was "good and meaningful" for him to be speaking at the positive-tone event.

He deferred questions to prosecutors about whether the accused attacker, Cody Balmer, was motivated by the fact that Shapiro is Jewish. A search warrant carried out by Pennsylvania State Police shows Balmer said he targeted the governor because of "what he wants to do to the Palestinian people."

Shapiro said he hoped the attacker would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and he said — repeatedly — that he wants the fire-damaged Governor's Residence in north Harrisburg to be returned to its former status: a home for him and his family and a place where members of the public can visit.

Shapiro said an independent review of all security measures at the building is underway, and new security measures will be implemented.

"They will be stronger, going forward," he said.

A father of four, Shapiro, his wife Lori and family members were home when the perpetrator scaled the perimeter fence, broke into the residence and set fires about 2 a.m. Sunday. Since then, he said, his first mission has been to be there for his children and answer their questions.

"Just trying our best to answer our kids' questions, be honest with them, tell them what we know and also tell them what we don't know, and to let them know that they are safe," he said. "It's OK not to be OK, also."

Other state officials have not provided a time frame for repairs to the extensively damaged Governor's Residence, or updates on any security reviews.

Shapiro, a Democrat, is entering a busy stretch of his governance calendar. The fiscal year ends on June 30 and he and the Legislature — including a Republican-controlled Senate — have that date as a deadline to come to an agreement on a 2025-26 budget.

So far, there appear to be several major issues dividing the two parties, including transit and transportation, and energy. Another potentially volatile issue is Mr. Shapiro's proposed legalization of recreational marijuana.

Many lawmakers were shocked and dismayed by the attack on Shapiro's home, and that it came on the first full day of the observance of the Jewish Passover.

The House and Senate are not in session in Harrisburg this week, which also is Easter week. The House returns next week, and the Senate is scheduled to resume voting sessions in early May.

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