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Pennsylvania Governor's Residence fire

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2025 Pennsylvania Governor arson attack
The Pennsylvania Governor's Residence (shown in 2010), scene of the 2025 arson attack
DateApril 13, 2025
Timec. 2 a.m. (EDT)
LocationPennsylvania Governor's Residence, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°16'38.0"N 76°53'55.6"W
Also known asAttempted assassination of Josh Shapiro
Deaths0
Non-fatal injuries0
Property damageHeavy damage to a portion of the home
AccusedCody Allen Balmer
ChargesAttempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, aggravated assault

On Sunday, April 13, 2025, part of the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence was set on fire in an alleged arson while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside. The suspect, 38-year-old Cody Allen Balmer (born March 23, 1987), a former mechanic from nearby Penbrook, Pennsylvania, was later arrested and charged with terrorism, attempted murder, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault after he turned himself into the police.[1][2][3][4]

The attack occurred on the first night of Passover, around 2 a.m. ET, just hours after Shapiro and his family had partaken in a Passover Seder.[3][4] According to authorities, Balmer reported that he was planning to physically assault Governor Shapiro using a small sledgehammer had he encountered him.[5] Balmer told police that he used two Molotov cocktails to set the residence on fire.[6]

Alleged perpetrator

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Balmer lived in Penbrook throughout his entire life, and was a student at Dauphin County Technical School during his early teenage years.[7][8]

Balmer had an extensive criminal history across Dauphin County dating back to 2015. For example, according to an affidavit from the Penbrook Police Department, officers were dispatched in January 2023 to a report of domestic violence in Balmer's residence. Balmer told officers he’d taken "a bottle full of pills" in a suicide attempt and then got into a fight with his wife and 13-year-old son, who had stepped between them.[9][10]

According to his brother, he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but rejected the diagnosis. Not believing the diagnosis, he often refused to take his medication. He believed his sister-in-law to be a witch who cast a spell on him because she pressed him to get appropriate psychiatric care.[2]

During his arrest, Balmer was transported to a local hospital for treatment after suffering a medical episode.[11] Following Balmer's arrest, his mother Christie Balmer told CBS News that her son has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and claimed that he "went off his medication".[8][7] Balmer struggled with mental illness throughout his life and was hospitalized twice.[2]

Balmer was described by his brother as a political independent until 2024, when he tried to convince his family members to vote for Donald Trump.[12] In a warrant to search Balmer's possessions issued after the incident, state police stated in their search warrant that Balmer had targeted Shapiro based on "perceived injustices toward the people of Palestine". In a 911 call previously made by Balmer, he characterized Shapiro as a "monster" who should stop having his friends killed, put his people "through too much" and said that he would not take part in Shapiro's "plans" for the Palestinians.[13][14]

President Trump said that Balmer was "probably just a whack job."[14] On April 18, Shapiro cited "security failures" as a reason for the attack and said that he hadn't heard from Trump after the incident.[15] On April 19, Trump made a phone call to Shapiro, which Shapiro described as "very gracious."[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Madani, Doha; Persaud, Yasmeen; Eaglin, Maya; Cohen, Rebecca; Weir, Andy (April 13, 2025). "Suspect in custody after overnight arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence". NBC News. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Levy, Marc (April 13, 2025). "Suspect arrested in arson fire that forced Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, family to flee residence". Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 13, 2025. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Suspect Arrested in Arson Attack on Pennsylvania Governor's Residence. Inside Edition. April 14, 2025. Archived from the original on April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ a b Mitman, Hayden (April 14, 2025). "Man arrested in arson of Governor's home had 'hatred' for Shapiro, police say". Philadelphia: WCAU. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  5. ^ Levy, Marc; Scolforo, Mark (April 14, 2025). "Suspect in arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence planned to beat him, documents say". Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  6. ^ Simon, Alexandra (April 14, 2025). "Cody Balmer was "harboring hatred" toward Shapiro before setting fire at Governor's Residence, documents say". CBS News. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Boeckel, Nick; Penzenstadler, Jo; Ciavaglia, Teresa. "Man accused in Pennsylvania arson had limited criminal history: Who is Cody Balmer?". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Kukreti, Shweta (April 14, 2025). "Is Cody Balmer mentally unfit? His mother makes bombshell claim about approaching 'four police departments'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  9. ^ Tolan, Casey; Devine, Curt; De Puy Kamp, Majlie (April 14, 2025). "Shapiro arson suspect faced charges in domestic violence case, financial and legal turmoil". CNN. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  10. ^ Ciavaglia, Jo (April 14, 2025). "Cody Balmer, accused of arson attack at PA Gov. Shapiro's home, has violent history". PhillyBurbs. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  11. ^ "Cody Balmer, suspect in attack at Pennsylvania governor's mansion, arraignment set for Monday". Lancaster, Pa.: WGAL-TV. April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  12. ^ Scolforo, Mark (April 15, 2025). "Man charged with arson at Pennsylvania governor's home struggled with mental health, brother says". AP News. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  13. ^ Rihl, Juliette (April 16, 2025). "Pa. Gov. Shapiro was targeted for 'what he wants to do to Palestinian people': warrant". pennlive. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Magid, Jacob; Horovitz, Michael; Bachner, Michael; Magid, Jacob; Freiberg, Nava (April 16, 2025). "Warrant: Arsonist targeted Penn. governor over his 'plans for the Palestinians'". The Times of Israel. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  15. ^ "Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro Cites 'Security Failures' That Allowed for Home Arson Attack, Reveals He Hasn't Heard from Trump". People.com. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  16. ^ "Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro says Trump called him a week after arson attac". nbcnews.com. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
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