Pennsylvania State Police reported that Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old man from Harrisburg, was denied bail on Monday after allegedly scaling an iron security fence and setting fire to the Pennsylvania governor's mansion. The charges against him include attempted homicide, terrorism, and arson. Balmer appeared in court after being released from a hospital due to an unrelated health issue.
According to court documents, Balmer expressed intentions to attack Governor Josh Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he encountered him during the break-in. The exact motive for his actions remains unclear, though there are indications it may be linked to the governor's political or religious beliefs. Balmer's mother voiced concerns about her son’s mental health, stating that she had sought help for him but was unsuccessful.
In a court appearance, Balmer claimed he did not suffer from any mental illness and described himself as an unemployed welder who had a "lot of children." He did not enter a plea for the charges, which also include aggravated assault. The fire, ignited at approximately 2 a.m. on Sunday, caused substantial damage to the governor's residence and forced Shapiro, his family, and guests to evacuate. The mansion, built in 1968, lacked a sprinkler system, and Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline estimated the resulting damage could reach millions of dollars.
On the night of the arson, Governor Shapiro and his family were celebrating the Jewish holiday of Passover. They were roused from sleep by state troopers knocking on their doors. Despite the chaos, Shapiro later emphasized that he would not allow such attacks to deter him from his responsibilities or his faith. He stated, “I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us as they did here last night.”
Balmer reportedly walked an hour from his home to the governor's residence and admitted to police that he harbored resentment towards Shapiro. After the fire, he went home and subsequently confessed to his former partner, prompting her to contact authorities. Police later retrieved evidence, including clothing worn during the incident and a small sledgehammer, from his home. Balmer has a history of criminal charges over the past decade, which includes simple assault, theft, and forgery.
Shapiro, seen as a potential Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential election, called for an end to the increasing violence that seems to be pervasive in society today, regardless of political affiliations. He stated, “This type of violence is not OK... It has to stop. We have to be better than this.”
In addition to the arson incident, Balmer was also scheduled to appear in court for a previous assault case involving accusations of hitting two family members and injuring a child. Upon being questioned by the judge, he asserted that he had no issues with drugs or alcohol but admitted to missing court dates in the past.
The fire left the interior of the governor's mansion severely damaged, particularly in areas that had historically been used for public gatherings and art displays. Reports indicated that large windows were shattered and the furnishings were extensively damaged. As investigations continued, Shapiro noted that the attack highlighted a disturbing trend in societal violence that needs urgent attention.
