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Wicked Blue

(7,828 posts) Sun Apr 13, 2025, 05:53 PM Sunday

Police Say Person Is In Custody After Suspected Arson At Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion

Source: AP via HuffPost

Police say a man has been arrested and will face charges including attempted murder, terrorism and attempted arson in the early morning fire that badly damaged the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion and forced Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family to quickly escape.

Sunday’s announcement came after Shapiro and his family were evacuated overnight from the official governor’s residence after someone set fire to the building. Shapiro told an afternoon news conference that he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family that had celebrated Passover on Saturday were inside the home when they were awakened by state troopers.

No one was injured and the fire was extinguished, according to authorities.

Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris identified the man in custody as Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg. Paris emphasized at a Sunday afternoon news conference that the investigation is continuing.

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gov-shapiro-family-home-arsonist-set-fire-governors-residence-harrisburg_n_67fbe30de4b06b8d655afbc1?p8f

14 replies

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Highlight:

Police Say Person Is In Custody After Suspected Arson At Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion (Original Post) Wicked Blue Sunday OP

Early reports suggest he was upset about state auctioning his property (foreclosure, I guess... ) hlthe2b Sunday #1

That may turn out to be true...But that is not a remotely reliable source. Wiz Imp Sunday #2

As I believe I made clear when I said more reporting was needed... hlthe2b Sunday #3

Just looked at the house Aviation Pro Sunday #4

This message was self-deleted by its author Wiz Imp Sunday #6

It was a foreclosure sale after years of neglect FBaggins Sunday #7

According to a post on FB, this was supposedly on his FB page. ificandream Sunday #5

FIRE coming out of the bottle. That is very telling since he set Shirpiro's house on FIRE!! riversedge Sunday #9

Would not trust anything you read at this point to be true Wiz Imp Sunday #11

I agree with you, which is why I didn't say it was definitely true. ificandream Sunday #12

He tried to murder two families. damn riversedge Sunday #8

Another addition to our country's Hate-A-Thon democrank Sunday #10

well i'm sure he will get et tu Sunday #13

MSN article on him: Polybius Sunday #14

hlthe2b

(109,074 posts)

1. Early reports suggest he was upset about state auctioning his property (foreclosure, I guess... )

Reply to Wicked Blue (Original post)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 06:00 PM

Sunday

Was Cody Balmer 'Upset' With Gov Josh Shapiro Over Property Seizure? Court Doc Surfaces
Cody Balmer, arrested for arson after allegedly setting Governor Josh Shapiro’s house on fire, was reportedly angry over the state auctioning his property. A court document from Harrisburg surfaced, linking the auction to Balmer’s motive.

https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/was-cody-balmer-upset-with-gov-josh-shapiro-over-property-seizure-court-document-surfaces-article-151411593

Requires more reporting, though...

Wiz Imp

(4,698 posts)

2. That may turn out to be true...But that is not a remotely reliable source.

Reply to hlthe2b (Reply #1)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 06:03 PM

Sunday

hlthe2b

(109,074 posts)

3. As I believe I made clear when I said more reporting was needed...

Reply to Wiz Imp (Reply #2)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 06:05 PM

Sunday

Aviation Pro

(14,196 posts)

4. Just looked at the house

Reply to hlthe2b (Reply #1)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 06:09 PM

Sunday

What a piece of shit dwelling.

Response to Aviation Pro (Reply #4)

Wiz Imp This message was self-deleted by its author.

FBaggins

(28,075 posts)

7. It was a foreclosure sale after years of neglect

Reply to Wiz Imp (Reply #6)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 06:50 PM

Sunday

The house could easily be worth 150k if it had been well cared for, but it transferred last year for 60k and is now up for a sheriff's auction.

Looking at the photos from the last sale - it's a gut job.

ificandream

(11,114 posts)

5. According to a post on FB, this was supposedly on his FB page.

Reply to Wicked Blue (Original post)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 06:26 PM

Sunday

riversedge

(74,996 posts)

9. FIRE coming out of the bottle. That is very telling since he set Shirpiro's house on FIRE!!

Reply to ificandream (Reply #5)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 06:55 PM

Sunday

Wiz Imp

(4,698 posts)

11. Would not trust anything you read at this point to be true

Reply to ificandream (Reply #5)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 07:54 PM

Sunday

until it is reported by legitimate media, preferably US media (even more preferably, local media from South Central Pennsylvania). All the information found online so far comes from the Hindustan Times which isn't particularly trustworthy.