HARRISBURG, Pa. — Authorities are investigating the motive behind a weekend arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor’s residence that has rattled the state’s capital and sparked national concern over political violence.
The suspect, Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, is accused of scaling the security fence around Governor Josh Shapiro’s mansion in the early hours of Sunday morning, evading law enforcement, and setting fire to the historic building using Molotov cocktails made from beer bottles and gasoline.
Balmer, who reportedly harbored animosity toward the governor, faces a range of serious charges including attempted homicide, terrorism, and arson. He was denied bail during his Monday court appearance, where he did not enter a plea. Despite prior concerns expressed by his mother about his mental health and refusal to take medication, Balmer told the judge he does not suffer from any mental illness.
Governor, Family Forced to Evacuate
Governor Shapiro, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, had been celebrating the Jewish holiday of Passover with his wife, children, and guests on Saturday night. They were awoken by state troopers around 2 a.m., urgently evacuating the premises before firefighters extinguished the blaze. No injuries were reported, though damage to the mansion is estimated to run into the millions of dollars, according to Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline.
The residence, built in 1968, lacks a sprinkler system, and the fire severely damaged a prominent room used for public gatherings and art exhibits. Photographs show shattered windows, charred walls, a burned piano, and debris strewn across the interior.
A Planned Attack
Authorities say Balmer walked an hour from his home to the mansion. During a police interview, he admitted to harboring “hatred toward Governor Shapiro” and said he intended to assault him with a small sledgehammer if they had encountered one another.
After fleeing the scene, Balmer reportedly confessed to an ex-partner, asking her to contact the police. He later turned himself in at a Pennsylvania State Police barracks.
Lt. Col. George Bivens of the state police said the attack was “carefully premeditated,” with Balmer entering the mansion for approximately one minute before retreating. Investigators later recovered clothing and the sledgehammer from his residence.
Legal Troubles and Background
Balmer, an unemployed welder, has a documented criminal history, including charges of assault, theft, and forgery over the past decade. In a pending case, he is accused of assaulting two relatives and injuring a child. Financial records show he faced foreclosure in 2022, and he sold his home for $60,000 last year to settle debts.
He is a father of at least three children, with two separate child custody cases filed in 2012 and 2023.
Despite a long list of personal and legal troubles, Balmer is not affiliated with any political party. Investigators have yet to determine if his actions were politically or religiously motivated, though the governor’s Jewish faith and public prominence have prompted concerns.
Shapiro: “I Won’t Be Intimidated”
Speaking hours after the attack, an emotional Governor Shapiro stood firm:
“I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us as they did here last night,” he said. “I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love.”
Federal and state investigators continue to probe Balmer’s background and communications for more clarity on his motives, as Pennsylvania and the nation grapple with yet another unsettling episode of domestic violence tied to politics and identity.
