United States: A man accused of breaking into Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home and setting it on fire admitted he deeply disliked the governor and even said he would have attacked him with a hammer if they had crossed paths, according to court records.
Governor Shapiro, his wife Lori, their four children, two dogs, and another family were forced to escape from their official residence in Harrisburg after a major fire broke out early Sunday morning. The fire happened just hours after the family had hosted a Passover dinner. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
The suspect, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, turned himself in to the police. He now faces serious charges, including attempted murder, aggravated arson, terrorism, and others. However, as of Monday morning, he was being treated at a hospital for a health issue not related to the fire or his arrest, according to police.
Sources close to the investigation believe Balmer’s mental health problems might have played a role. They also noted that Balmer seemed oddly calm during the whole event, as reported by CNN.
Balmer confessed to police that he started the fire using homemade firebombs made from lawnmower gasoline and beer bottles. He knew the governor and his family were likely home at the time and understood people could have been harmed.
This incident adds to the growing list of violent threats and attacks against U.S. political leaders. Shapiro, a prominent Democrat, was even considered as a possible vice-presidential running mate for Kamala Harris in her 2024 campaign and is seen as a future presidential candidate for 2028.
There has been a rise in political threats over recent years, including a 2023 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and two attempts to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
“This kind of violence is not acceptable,” Shapiro declared at a press conference. “We must do better.”
What Happened During the Attack
Balmer told police it took him about an hour to walk to the governor’s house from his own home early Sunday morning. When he arrived, he climbed over the fence, smashed two windows with a hammer, and threw a firebomb inside to start the blaze, according to an affidavit. Then, he climbed through the broken window, tossed another firebomb inside, and set more fires, according to CNN.
After that, he kicked down a dining room door and ran away. He was inside the house for less than a minute and managed to avoid police officers who were nearby at the time, said State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens.
“He clearly had a plan and carried it out step by step,” Bivens explained.
Surveillance footage showed that Balmer had been on the property for a few minutes before starting the fires. A security officer was seen nearby, but it’s unclear if they were responding to an alarm or just doing routine patrols.
Someone called emergency services to report flames coming from the house. Shapiro and his family woke up around 2 a.m. to loud knocks on the door from a state trooper warning them of the danger. Firefighters arrived quickly and put out the flames.
Officials are now reviewing the security system to prevent future incidents. Despite praising the quick response of law enforcement, some believe the situation exposed serious failures in the state police’s handling of security, and some officers might face consequences.
The governor’s house is protected around the clock, even when the family is not home. Numerous cameras and motion detectors monitor the property, but these have been set off in the past by animals like squirrels and cats.
When the fire started, the security team immediately focused on getting the governor and his family to safety. Thankfully, Balmer never came face-to-face with them.
Balmer Confessed to the Crime
After fleeing, Balmer’s ex-partner contacted police and reported that he had confessed to starting the fire. Balmer later turned himself in at the police station.
He admitted to police that he made the firebombs by draining gasoline from a lawnmower and filling beer bottles. He also told them he hated Shapiro and knew the family might be home during the attack. When asked what he would have done if he had met Shapiro inside the house, Balmer said he would have beaten him with his hammer.
Balmer had also expressed anger toward President Joe Biden on social media in the past. In one post from 2021, he wrote, “Biden supporters shouldn’t exist,” as per CNN.
Balmer is due in court soon for an unrelated assault case from 2023. He also has a criminal record for forgery and theft in 2016. Authorities say he could face federal charges as well, and the FBI is helping with the investigation.
Damage to the Historic Governor’s Mansion
The fire badly damaged parts of the house, including the piano room and dining room. Photos from the scene show burned walls, destroyed furniture, and ashes covering the floors. Remnants from the Passover dinner, like a “Passover Crafts” sign, were still visible among the wreckage.
The governor’s mansion is a large, historic Georgian-style home by the Susquehanna River. It has been the official residence of Pennsylvania governors since 1968 and includes both art exhibits and living space, according to CNN.
Shapiro Vows to Stay Strong
At a heartfelt press conference, Shapiro said the attack was not only against his family but against all of Pennsylvania. He thanked everyone for their support and prayers, including many politicians. He promised that this event would not stop him from continuing his work.
