Police hunt arsonist after fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's home

Pennsylvania State Police are searching for an arsonist who caused a "significant amount of damage" to the home of Gov. Josh Shapiro on April 13, hours after the family celebrated the start of Passover.

Shapiro said he and his family "woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the governor’s residence in Harrisburg" around 2 a.m.

The Shapiro family was safely evacuated from the residence and were uninjured, State Police said in a statement.

"Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished," Shapiro wrote in a statementposted to X.

"Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run toward danger to protect our communities," Shapiro said. "Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe."

It was not immediately clear how many of Shapiro's four children were in the home when the fire erupted.

"While the investigation is ongoing, the State Police is prepared to say at this time that this was an act of arson," the agency said.

Arson motive still unknown

By Sunday afternoon, authorities had not released any information about the motive behind the attack.

Shapiro became one of the most well-known Democratic governors in the country – and has fielded questions about a future run for president – after reports that he was on the shortlist to run as Kamala Harris' vice president in the 2024 election.

Shapiro is Pennsylvania's third Jewish governor. He is staunchly pro-Israel, and has drawn criticism from pro-Palestinian groups for that support since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel and the Israeli army's ongoing assault on Gaza.

In late 2023, a Pennsylvania man was arrested and charged with threatening to assault Shapiro.

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Shapiro's family celebrated Passover hours before fire

Hours before the fire broke out at Shapiro's residence, the family was celebrating the start of Passover, a Jewish holiday that commemorates the Jewish Exodus from Egypt.  

Passover began at sundown on April 12 and ends at sundown on April 20.

"From the Shapiro family's Seder table to yours, happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach!" Shapiro wrote at 3 p.m. on X the day of the fire.

Shapiro's family, like other Jewish families, held a seder, a traditional Passover meal that includes reading, drinking four cups of wine, telling stories, eating special foods, singing and other traditions.

State Police offer cash reward after fire

State Police described the probe as a "multi-agency investigation" and are currently offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible.

Anyone with information about the incident were encouraged to contact PSP Tips by phone at 1-800-472-8477.

"No additional information will be released at this time," State Police said. "However, this is a fast-moving investigation, and details will be provided as appropriate."