Fact Check: "The home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) was firebombed two months ago today."
What We Know
The claim that Governor Josh Shapiro's home was firebombed two months ago is false. The incident in question occurred on April 13, 2025, when an arson attack targeted the Pennsylvania governor's official residence in Harrisburg. The attack happened during the Jewish holiday of Passover, shortly after Shapiro hosted a Seder dinner for his family and guests. Fortunately, no one was injured as the family was safely evacuated before the fire spread significantly (AP News, ABC News).
The suspect, identified as Cody Balmer, allegedly confessed to the attack and expressed hatred towards Shapiro, reportedly motivated by the governor's political stance regarding Palestine (Reuters, CNN). Balmer was charged with multiple offenses, including attempted murder and terrorism, but the attack occurred only recently and not two months ago.
Analysis
The timeline of events is crucial in evaluating the claim. The arson attack on Shapiro's residence was reported on April 13, 2025, and the claim suggests it happened two months prior to the current date. As of now, the current date is June 13, 2025, making the claim inaccurate. The attack is still under investigation, and while the motives of the suspect are being explored, the incident is recent and well-documented (AP News, ABC News).
The sources used to gather this information are credible, including major news organizations such as the Associated Press, Reuters, and CNN. These outlets have reported extensively on the incident, providing details about the attack, the suspect's motivations, and the aftermath. The reliability of these sources is high, given their established reputations for journalistic integrity.
Conclusion
The claim that "the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) was firebombed two months ago today" is false. The incident occurred on April 13, 2025, which is less than two months ago from the current date. The details surrounding the attack indicate it was a recent event, and the motivations of the suspect are still being investigated.
