A man has been arrested in connection with setting fire to the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro over the weekend. Prosecutors stated that the suspect, identified as Cody A. Balmer, 38, allegedly scaled the fence of the residence, used a hammer to break a window, and threw Molotov cocktails inside to ignite the blaze.
Balmer has been charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and other offenses related to the early Sunday morning attack on the Harrisburg residence. The arson incident, which took place while the governor, his wife Lori Shapiro, and other occupants were inside the house, caused substantial damage, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. The governor’s family was safely evacuated during the attack.
Balmer, a resident of Harrisburg, turned himself in to the Pennsylvania State Police and confessed to harboring animosity towards Governor Shapiro. He admitted that he would have resorted to violence if confronted by the governor inside the residence.
Security footage captured Balmer climbing over the fence, breaking windows, and entering the home to set multiple fires. Investigators recovered broken glass bottles containing gasoline at the scene and located gloves with a strong gasoline odor that matched the suspect’s in a nearby trash can.
Governor Shapiro, who is of Jewish descent, had expressed well-wishes for Passover just hours before the attack. In a press conference following the incident, he condemned the violence and emphasized the need to stop such actions regardless of political affiliations.
The suspect’s ex-paramour contacted the Pennsylvania State Police, leading to Balmer turning himself in for the crime.
The affidavit stated that the suspect admitted to the crime and expressed a desire for the victim to contact the police. Shortly after, Balmer approached a Pennsylvania State Police trooper at the department headquarters, taking responsibility for the fire at the governor’s residence and expressing a wish to surrender. He was then taken to the Pennsylvania State Police office in Harrisburg for questioning. During the interview, he confessed to harboring negative feelings towards Shapiro. Meanwhile, Shapiro’s family had safely evacuated from the residence. Balmer revealed that he had taken gasoline from a lawn mower and poured it into beer bottles at his home. He then walked for an hour to the governor’s residence with the intention of throwing homemade Molotov cocktails inside. After scaling the perimeter fence, breaking two windows, and throwing the Molotov cocktails, he returned home, changed his clothes, and was later found with incriminating items matching those seen in surveillance footage at the governor’s residence. Balmer acknowledged that he knew his actions could lead to negative consequences and harm to individuals inside the residence. He was subsequently taken to Dauphin County Prison for arraignment and awaits a preliminary hearing. Additionally, it was reported that Balmer was hospitalized for a medical issue unrelated to the incident or his arrest. Balmer’s online presence indicated a critical stance against the government, with posts suggesting anti-government sentiments and disdain for then-President Joe Biden. He had a history of criminal charges, including forgery and theft in 2015 and 2016, as well as an assault charge in 2023 which remains unresolved.
