The
suspect charged with setting fire at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence
reportedly informed a 911 dispatcher that he aimed at Governor Josh Shapiro due to his alleged position regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, as stated in search warrants acquired by the USA TODAY Network.
Cody A. Balmer, aged 38, is charged with offenses such as arson, attempted murder, and more. Authorities claim that late at night on April 12 into the wee hours of April 13, he climbed over the fence around the Harrisburg mansion, broke some windows, threw Molotov cocktails inside causing a fire, and then entered himself. Although nobody got hurt, significant portions of the house sustained severe damage.
The search warrants obtained for Balmer’s electronic devices outline his “political motive” behind the assault. These documents, supplied by Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo, indicate that Balmer contacted emergency services via 911 shortly after leaving the premises. During this call, he disclosed his identity and informed the operator that Shapiro must be made aware of his stance against participating in his plans concerning actions aimed at harming the Palestinian population.
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Balmer also allegedly said, “he needs to stop having my friends killed” and “our people have been put through too much by that monster.”
“You all know where to find me. I’m not hiding, and I will confess to everything that I had done,” Balmer told the 911 operator, according to the warrants.
Shapiro has
risen to prominence as an outspoken Democratic governor
and a supporter of Israel. It was also reported that he was considered as a possible vice-presidential candidate.
Kamala Harris
In 2024, he campaigned against President Donald Trump. His family held a Passover celebration just hours prior to the assault.
Shapiro told reporters at a news conference on April 16 that regardless of the motivation for the crime, political violence must be condemned as unacceptable in our society.
“Nothing he could do would deter me from doing my job as governor. Nothing he could do would deter me from proudly and openly practicing my faith,” Shapiro said.
Chardo, the district attorney,
told NBC affiliate WGAL
He plans to present Balmer’s supposed statement as proof that Balmer singled out Shapiro due to his Jewish identity, thereby suggesting the arson qualifies as a hate crime.
The warrant stated that the 911 call was made at 2:50 a.m. on April 13, which was within an hour of when the fire occurred.
What occurred on the night of the fire?
Security footage at the residence showed the intruder scaling an exterior perimeter fence in the early morning hours of April 13, authorities said. He used a hammer to break a window in a piano room and threw a Molotov cocktail into the room, starting a fire. He then broke another window and used it to enter the room, igniting more fires once inside. He then kicked open the door and exited, climbing back over the fence.
Following the incident, a woman reached out to the Harrisburg police stating that her former partner, Balmer, was responsible, as per his arrest affidavit. Subsequently, Balmer went to the Pennsylvania State Police headquarters voluntarily and surrendered to authorities, officials reported.
Shapiro mentioned that around 2 a.m., state troopers roused him by knocking loudly on his door, leading to his safe evacuation along with his family members, none of whom sustained injuries. Within approximately thirty minutes, the flames had been brought under control. Photographs taken after the incident reveal substantial fire and smoke damage in the piano room area.
“Luckily for the governor and his family, there were doors closed between that main portion of the ballroom and the hallway that leads to the main and master staircase going to the second floor,” Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline said in an April 14 news conference. “It would have been a totally different fire and a totally different outcome, most likely, had that door not been closed.”
Balmer managed to evade state troopers assigned to protect the Shapiro family at the residence that night. According to Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens, troopers were aware of the breach and searching for an intruder as he made his way into the home. The whole incident happened quickly, Bivens said.
The suspect faced mental health issues, according to their mother.
Christie Balmer, the mother of Balmer, informed various media organizations such as the Associated Press that her son was battling mental health issues and she had attempted to secure help for him.
“He refused to take his medication, and that’s everything I wish to mention,” said Christie Balmer.
the Associated Press
.
She also told
CBS News
Her son “suffered from mental illness” and “stopped taking his medication.”
At a hearing where Balmer had his bail request turned down, he informed Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge Dale Klein that he does not have a past involving drugs or alcohol misuse. In response to her query about potential mental health issues, he stated “that’s what people say,” yet he refuted having any official diagnosis.
Who is Cody Balmer?
According to records examined by USA TODAY, Balmer has prior convictions for assault, forgery, and traffic offenses in Pennsylvania. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation for the forgery offense and currently faces an ongoing assault charge.
In June 2023, Balmer and a woman split and filed a custody suit in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Balmer took primary custody of a 5- and 2-year-old, according to court documents. The woman did not immediately return messages seeking comment on April 14.
Balmer’s social media posts seem to be ridiculing the ex-President.
Joe Biden
and criticize Trump alike.
Contributors: Christopher Cann, Nick Penzenstedler, Phaedra Trethan, and Bethany Rodgers
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY:
The warrant indicates that the suspected arsonist targeted Governor Josh Shapiro due to his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
