The man charged with setting Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home on fire told police he “harbored hatred” toward the Democratic official and would have attacked him if circumstances had allowed.
Cody Balmer, 38, climbed over a seven-foot wall at Shapiro’s Harrisburg residence shortly before 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 13, and smashed a window using a hammer, according to the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office.
Governor Josh Shapiro and has family were woken by police after Balmer set their home ablaze on Sunday morning
Image credits: Matthew Hatcher / Getty Images
Balmer then threw a Molotov cocktail inside, climbed into the home, and hurled two more—sparking a massive blaze while Shapiro and his family slept.
Shapiro, his wife Lori, and their four children were safely evacuated without any injuries after police woke them, but the historic mansion sustained significant damage.
Balmer was arraigned on Monday, April 14, and has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and related offenses.
Outside of court, he pulled faces in front of reporters and declined to answer any questions.
Image credits: Dauphin County District Attorney's Office
Documents seen by Bored Panda reveal that Balmer poured gasoline from his lawnmower into beer bottles before walking an hour to Shapiro’s home.
He told officers he would have “beaten him with his hammer” had he encountered Shapiro inside the residence.
During a police interview, Balmer said he “harbored hatred” towards the Democratic governor.
Shapiro and his family were not injured, but the historic mansion they live in sustained significant damage
Image credits: Pennsylvania State Police
In a post on X Monday, Shapiro thanked emergency services for their efforts.
“This weekend, our family witnessed the incredible bravery and excellence of our first responders,” he said.
“The entire Shapiro family is eternally grateful for the @PAStatePolice troopers who safely evacuated our family from danger, the firefighters who quickly put out the fire at the Governor’s Residence, and the law enforcement officials who’ve worked to investigate this attack.
Image credits: Pennsylvania State Police
“From the bottom of all of our hearts, thank you.”
Shapiro previously posted on social media confirming that he and his family were safe after police officers woke them to evacuate them from the home.
Authorities have yet to disclose an official motive for the attack.
Image credits: Pennsylvania State Police
Some of Balmer’s past social media posts have resurfaced and show that the former auto mechanic was a critic of the Biden administration.
In one post, which appears to be from Balmer’s Facebook page, he said: “I’m just saying, five dollars gas money when Trump was president.”
Image credits: Pennsylvania State Police
He also posted “Joe Biden owes me two grand” over an image of himself.
While he is a registered voter, he does not appear to be affiliated with any political party, The Independent reports.
His mother, Christie Balmer, told CBS News that her son is “mentally ill and he went off his medication” before the attack on the Governor’s Residence.
She added that she had tried to get her son “picked up” last week by four different police departments, but she couldn't get anybody to help.
“So he was mentally ill, went off his meds, and this is what happened,” she said.
Balmer was already due in court on Wednesday to face allegations of domestic violence against his estranged wife and two sons.
According to a criminal complaint, Balmer hit his 13-year-old son and his wife “with closed fists, and bit his wife causing a puncture wound on her hand” in January 2023, ABC News reports.
He is said to have hit his other son, 10, in the chest and stepped on his broken leg.
Other court records show that Balmer was sentenced to 18 months of probation in 2016 after pleading guilty to forgery charges.