The man accused in the arson attack on the Harrisburg residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on April 13 is currently being held without bail as authorities investigate the incident. Cody Balmer, who turned himself in to the police after the attack, appeared in court on April 14 and mentioned pending charges in another case and uncertainty about his probationary status. Balmer, a 38-year-old welder who had been living at his parents’ home with no income or savings, shared with the judge that he harbored hatred towards Shapiro as per a probable cause affidavit.
Balmer faces charges including attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, and terrorism and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 23. Following his arrest, he was hospitalized for a medical event unrelated to the attack. The fire severely damaged a section of the 29,000 square-foot residence where Shapiro and his family were sleeping, but they were unharmed thanks to being alerted by the State Police.
Repairs to the residence, a Georgian Style home built in 1968, are estimated to cost millions due to the lack of a fire suppression system and the historic significance of the building. Balmer allegedly scaled a fence, broke windows, and threw lit gasoline bottles into the house, causing significant damage to the reception area.
In a previous incident in 1972, the residence suffered severe damage during Hurricane Agnes. Meanwhile, Shapiro, Pennsylvania’s third Jewish governor, has faced criticism from certain groups for his support of Israel during conflicts with Gaza. Balmer’s ex-partner informed the police about his involvement in the arson before he surrendered himself. Balmer expressed intentions to harm Shapiro if he encountered him during the attack.
Iro, aged 51, is a prominent Democratic governor who has been in the spotlight as a potential candidate for the presidency, especially after reports surfaced that he was being considered as a running mate for Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 election. In the lead-up to the arson incident, Shapiro and his family had been observing Passover, a significant Jewish holiday that commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. The suspect’s mother disclosed that her son has been struggling with mental health challenges and had been having difficulty with his medication.
The suspect was caught on video surveilling the Shapiro residence before entering by climbing over a fence and causing a fire by throwing gasoline-filled beer bottles into the mansion. The incident resulted in significant fire damage to the piano room and dining room at the south end of the house. Cody Balmer, the suspect, has been arrested and is being held without bail.
