Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro spoke about the arson attack on his home in an exclusive interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopulos on Friday after a Passover celebration last weekend.
Cody Ballmer, 38, was arrested after Shapiro and his family allegedly set the residence on fire while they were sleeping inside. Shapiro, a Jew, said he and his family were forced to evacuate their homes after celebrating the first night of Passover.
Shapiro gave Stephanopoulos a tour of the residence after the attack, and was told that the attacker was able to bypass security and throw a Molotov cocktail from his home window.
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The governor began by showing Stephanopulos, where intruders are said to have access to their property.
“He expanded the fence somewhere around here.” Shapiro said While standing in front of the fence.
Governor Shapiro and his family were forced to evacuate their home after Molotov cocktails burned the house. (Getty/Commonwealth Media Services)
He says the intruder “had a bag containing Molotov cocktails and a metal hammer,” and then hid in a bush near the fence before eventually tripping over the home’s security sensors.
Shapiro said the security sensors urged Pennsylvania troopers to arrive at their home, but the governor said “it was dark and the troopers couldn’t find him.”
After evading the troopers, Shapiro says the suspect walked through a backyard corridor, smashed the window with a hammer and threw a Molotov cocktail into the house.
“It promptly caused fire and an explosion,” the governor said.
Cody Ballmer, suspected arson at the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion, was released on bail when fire was extinguished.
Shapiro then brought Stefanopuuros inside, emotionally explaining the family’s Passover celebration that took place just before the attack.
“A few hours ago, Lori and I were probably sitting here, sitting at a long table, commanding our Passover cedar,” Shapiro elaborated. “Three of our four children were here. The other was in college.”
The governor became emotional as he explained the Passover celebration he had enjoyed with his family and friends before the attack. (Federal Media Services/Distribution Materials via Reuters)
He continued: “I’m emotional just thinking about it. We had families. We had guests from communities all over Pennsylvania. It was a truly beautiful night.”
The governor said the family and guests were celebrating until midnight before going to bed around 1am. The attack took place about 2am an hour later
Shapiro and Stefanopuuros began their sit-in section of the interview in one of the burnt rooms in the house.
“I was here with the fire chief around 3am, and it was soon revealed.
Josh Shapiro suffocates as he holds a post-Arson press conference
Stephanopoulos asked Shapiro if he believed the attack was a hate crime.
“I think it’s questionable for the prosecutor to decide. They’ll decide on the motive,” he told Stephanopoulos.
The ABC host told Shapiro, “What is your gut telling you? This guy was talking about Gaza, talking about Palestine, and talking about his hatred towards you.”
The governor replies that he recognizes “when you are in these positions of power, there are people there who you want to harm,” but he is trying to “not be bound by fear.”
Cody Ballmer, the man accused of setting the governor’s mansion on fire, told authorities he claimed he targeted Jewish Shapiro for “what he wants to do to the Palestinians.” (wtxf)
Stefanopuuros recognizes that Shapiro doesn’t want him to “not be bound by fear,” but argued that Homeland Security has been warning for years of the rise of these types of attacks.
“It’s real,” replied Shapiro. “So, this is sadly a real part of our society today and needs to be universally condemned. George. I don’t care if it’s coming from the left or not. People who come from the person who voted, or someone from someone on your team, or someone from another team, will speak of this kind of violence and be held responsible.
Shapiro was later asked whether President Donald Trump, or someone in his administration, reached out to him after the attack.
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The governor said he had heard that Trump had not yet reached out to him, but following the attacks that day and Attorney General Pam Bondy’s attacks, he heard from FBI director Kash Patel “quickly.”
When asked why Ag Bondi believed the attack hadn’t yet labelled it as a “domestic terrorist act,” and whether he personally believed it, Shapiro replied: “I think that’s a question for both the local district attorney and the prosecutors of the Department of Justice.”
Shapiro told Stephanopoulos that President Trump has yet to reach out to him regarding the attack. (Donald Trump 2024 Campaign)
Stephanopoulos questioned why the governor didn’t want to answer whether he believed the attack was a hate crime.
“I don’t know if it’s helpful for people outside to squeeze their opinions here, George. Whoever they are, Shapiro responded. “You’ve asked me several times why you haven’t given you the answer you’re asking for. I’d like to explain why.”
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The governor continued. “As a former prosecutor, I know how important it is to follow the evidence, apply the law, and do so without fear or favor. In this case, I am a victim of a crime. I am not a prosecutor. The prosecutor weighs the various evidence and determines what the motive is.
The Pennsylvania governor said it would not be his “job” to assume what the attacker’s motives are to bomb his home, but to the prosecutor who handles the case. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC image)
Stephanopoulos then asked Shapiro what he could do to “fight this kind of hatred” and spoke about the rise in anti-Semitism across the country.
“Let me explain by speaking and acting with moral clarity,” Shapiro said. “Immediately after the attempt to assassinate the former president, Butler, Pennsylvania, I condemned it on the strongest conditions. I told the victim. I went to Butler. When the assassin who killed the US healthcare CEO was caught in Altoona, Pennsylvania, I immediately condemned such violence.
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Even when he wasn’t currently dealing with traumatic events like those that happened at Butler and the governor’s home last weekend, Shapiro said he felt it was important to “leave people together and lead us every day in a way that doesn’t just continually separate us.”
Deidre Heavey of Fox News contributed to this report.
