Police authorities say a 38-year-old man has been taken into custody and will face charges in connection with an alleged arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence.
Cody Balmer is accused of terrorism, aggravated assault, aggravated arson, and attempted murder.
Shapiro, who is frequently hailed as a potential presidential candidate, was arrested hours after he woke up in the middle of the night to police pounding on his house door as a fire spread.
At a news conference on Sunday, Shapiro said he was “obviously emotional” as he recalled what had happened. The Democrat and his family were able to evacuate unscathed, but their home in the state capital of Harrisburg was severely damaged.
“I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempted to put on me by attacking us as they did last night,” he told reporters.
Hours before the fire, Shapiro and his family had celebrated the first night of Passover, a Jewish holiday, at home.
“When we were in the state dining room last night, we told the story of Passover,” he said – adding that Balmer’s motives were not known.
According to Police Deputy Commissioner George Bivens, the suspect was taken into custody in the Harrisburg region while in possession of a handmade incendiary device.
The investigation is ongoing, but authorities believe the suspect was able to jump a fence around the house and enter to set the fire.
According to state officials, “a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence” was inflicted by the fire, which was put out.
The governor and his family were in a different area of the brick house when the fire started.
While police concentrated on evacuating Shapiro and his family, the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire reported that it had tried to extinguish the fire.
A reward of $10,000 (£7,600) had been offered by the authorities for information that resulted in any arrests. It is unclear whether a tip led to the arrest of Balmer, who remains in custody.
Shapiro and his wife, Lori, have four children together: Sophia, Jonah, Max and Reuben.