Local officials condemned the firebombing of Gov. Josh Shapiro's Harrisburg mansion, expressing outrage over the incident that set off an inferno early Sunday morning as Shapiro and his family slept in the Georgian-style residence along the Susquehanna River.

"I take comfort that no one was hurt," State Rep. Chris Rabb (D., Phila.) said in a statement. "The attack on the governor's mansion and the potential risk from the alleged arson are unacceptable."

Ninth Ward Republican Leader Mark Umansky, of Philadelphia,  called the firebombing "utterly despicable." 

The historic mansion, home to eight Pennsylvania governors and their families, has served as a residence for the Shapiro family since the former Montgomery County Commissioner was elected governor in 2023. 

State Rep. Tarik Khan (D., Phila) had visited the residence just two weeks prior for a Ramadan celebration. During that visit, Khan recalled, Gov. Shapiro "was commenting about the significance of us celebrating Ramadan in that room, the same room where his son had actually taken his bar mitzvah."

Khan condemned the attack on Bluesky saying "Horrified to hear about the cowardly act of arson at the official residence of @governorshapiro that occurred during the early hours of Passover. Grateful that the Governor and his family are safe & thankful for the quick actions of our @PAStatePolice." 

Police have arrested Cody Balmer, a mechanic from Harrisburg, and charged him with the attack. Balmer, who turned himself in Sunday, is charged with attempted murder, terrorism and aggravated arson among other crimes. Police say he scaled an iron fence, broke first floor windows with a hammer and threw Molotov cocktails into a southern wing of the residence.

Balmer told police that, had he confronted the governor, he would have attacked him with the hammer, according to court records. He was arraigned Monday and is being held without bail.

“Last night we experienced an attack not just on our family, but the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said in a press conference. “I want to thank the Pennsylvania State Police for safely evacuating our family, for their bravery last evening and for their careful leadership of this investigation.”

On Saturday evening, Shapiro, his family and their guests observed the first night of Passover at the mansion, celebrating the holiday that commemorates the Israelites freedom from slavery. Shapiro shared a photo of the seder dinner table setting on his Instagram account.

Hours later, Shapiro and his family were awakened by state troopers banging on the doors of the governor’s mansion at about 2 a.m. The family and their guests were evacuated.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the attack. It was not clear as of the Local’s presstime on Tuesday whether the attack had anything to do with Shapiro’s politics or religious beliefs. Umansky characterized the attack as part of a wave of antisemitic actions that are “becoming all too common.” 

“As a fellow member of the Jewish faith, I was relieved to learn that Gov. Shapiro and his family are safe and sound and I applaud his resolve in standing strong despite the threat," Umansky said.

Balmer turned himself in after police received a call from a female “ex-paramour” who said he confessed, according to a criminal complaint. Balmer’s mother told The Associated Press on Monday that she had tried in recent days to get him assistance for mental health issues, but “nobody would help.” She said her son has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The AP was not able to verify that information.

President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that Balmer did not appear to be a fan of his. “The attacker basically wasn’t a fan of anybody,” he said. “And certainly, a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen.”

The fire left significant damage, charring walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Window panes and brick around doors and windows were blackened. The home, designed by Philadelphia architect George M. Ewing and built in 1968, did not have sprinklers, Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline said. He said the damages could be in the millions of dollars.

Ninth Democratic Ward Leader Jeff Duncan called the attack “shocking.” 

“I'm so glad that no one was hurt and that the suspected arsonist has been arrested,” Duncan said in a statement. “I hope the state police will increase security for the governor and his family to prevent anything like this from happening again.”

For Rabb, the incident is symptomatic of a destructive culture of violence.

“Sadly, this is the price a society rooted in structural violence will continue to pay for normalizing and glorifying violence as validated and promoted by the government itself,” Rabb said.  “Unless and until we discuss all forms of violence our nation - and commonwealth - embraces and codifies into law, policy and practice, such acts will never end.”

WHYY contributed to this report.