Police in the US have arrested a man they suspect committed arson and , after an attack at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence, law enforcement said on Sunday.
The suspect scaled a nearly seven-foot-high iron security fence in the middle of the night, eluded the police, broke into the political heavyweight’s Georgian-style mansion and set a fire which left significant damage to a part of the house. The man carried a homemade incendiary device.
Shapiro’s family and guests evacuated the building after a police officer woke them up by banging on the door around 2 am local time (0600 GMT).
The fire was doused and no casualties were reported. The suspect was captured later in the day but authorities have not spoken of his motives yet.
Last year, Shapiro was in the race to be former US Vice President ‘ running mate in her bid for the White House, but he lost out to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. He is now viewed as a top Democratic contender for the presidency in 2028.
Shapiro condemns increasing US political violence
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday evening, held outside the fire-damaged south wing of the governor’s residence, an emotional Shapiro said he was unbowed.
Shapiro, his family and guests had celebrated Passover, a Jewish holiday, at the residence on Saturday night.
“When we were in the state dining room last night, we told the story of Passover” and the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt to freedom, Shapiro said.
“I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us as they did here last night. I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love.”
Shapiro told reporters that the motive of the attack was not clear then.
“But we do know a few truths. First: This type of violence is not OK. This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society. And I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another or one particular person or another. It is not OK, and it has to stop. We have to be better than this,” he said.
Shapiro added that he would work harder if the motive was to keep him from his work as a governor, and he would proudly celebrate his faith if the attack was communal in nature.
Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo, speaking at the same conference, said his office planned to charge the suspect with “attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person,” which is a term used for public officials.
Support pours in
Shapiro said he received pledges of help from the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US attorney’s office after the attack.
Fellow politicians wrote to Shapiro to express their support.
Republican Vice President JD Vance took to X: “Thanks be to God that Governor Shapiro and his family were unharmed in this attack,” he said, calling the incident “disgusting.”
Former Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker, also a Republican, called it a “despicable act of cowardice.”
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