Pennsylvania man charged with attempted murder of Governor Josh Shapiro expressed hatred and intent to harm him, according to police reports.
Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old man from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has been charged with attempted homicide in relation to multiple fires he allegedly set at the governor’s mansion, which is the residence of Governor Josh Shapiro and his family. According to the criminal complaint filed on Sunday, Balmer turned himself in to State Police after expressing a desire to confess. He reportedly harbored animosity toward Shapiro, stating that he intended to inflict harm upon him if he had encountered the governor that morning.
The incident occurred on the first night of Passover when Balmer allegedly broke multiple windows of the governor’s mansion and used incendiary devices, including a Heineken bottle filled with gasoline, to ignite three separate fires within the residence. Eyewitness accounts describe how Balmer left the scene on foot after initiating these destructive acts. The governor’s mansion, which is a 29,000-square-foot structure situated along the Susquehanna River, suffered damage, though the total extent of the destruction remains unidentified.
Balmer’s actions raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of security measures at the governor’s residence, especially since a detail from State Police is typically stationed there full-time. Authorities are investigating how he was able to infiltrate the property, commence the fires, and evade capture.
Balmer’s history includes multiple run-ins with the law, with previous charges comprising assault and forgery. As recently as 2023, he was facing charges for three counts of simple assault, and in 2016, he received an 18-month probation sentence following a felony forgery conviction.
During a press conference held shortly after the incident, Governor Shapiro condemned the violence, emphasizing the necessity for society to improve its approach to such acts. Shapiro and his family were in the residence during the fires, having just hosted a Passover Seder that evening. The governor’s remarks highlighted a common concern regarding increasing violence in American society, calling on communities to unite against it.
In light of this incident, law enforcement agencies, including federal authorities, are investigating Balmer’s motivations, looking into the potential for hate crime charges. As of now, details regarding the specific reasons behind Balmer’s animosity toward Shapiro, particularly in relation to his religion and the timing of the attack during a significant Jewish holiday, remain vague.
The governor resides in the mansion when not at his home in Abington Township, which serves not only as his living quarters but also as a venue for various official events, including budget negotiations. Shapiro has expressed gratitude for the support he has received from federal authorities during this investigation. The case continues to develop as investigators pursue all possible avenues related to the motives behind this alarming incident.
