HARRISBURG, PA - The Pennsylvania State Police took a man into custody in connection with the firebombing of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion in Harrisburg that left the grand residence badly damaged and forced Governor Josh Shapiro, his family, and Passover guests who were asleep inside to evacuate.
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris told reporters in a press conference on Sunday night that Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, PA, was taken into custody and faces charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault. An investigation into the attack is ongoing, according to the Associated Press.
The Governor told reporters that he, his wife, four children, and two family dogs were joined by another family celebrating the Jewish Passover holiday Friday. The famlies were awoken at 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning by State Troopers alerting them that the mansion was on fire. The Shapiro family and guests were evacuated as firefighters engaged with the fire.
On Sunday, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens told reporters that Balmer scaled the fence at the Governor’s mansion prior to the incident, as reported by Fox News. Armed with “homemade incendiary devices,” Bivens revealed that Balmer “actively evaded troopers who were here to secure the residence.” He explained, "While [police] were searching is when he attacked at the residence, [and] broke in and set the fires."
"So that was all playing out over a period of several minutes. It was a very quick event that occurred, and, and again, troopers were actively searching for him at the time," Bivens added.
Balmer reportedly told police that he "harboring hatred" toward Shapiro and supported neither former President Joe Biden nor President Donald Trump, writing in a social media reply to a meme on gas prices, “Buck 85, but I said the same (expletive) when Trump took office. I don't play favorites especially since they all suck," per USA Today.
Prosecutors stated in an arrest affidavit that surveillance footage from the residence shows Balmer "surveilling the residence" before approaching the piano room on the south side, smashing a window in with a hammer and throwing a Molotov cocktail into the room, setting it ablaze.
Authorities were later contacted by a woman claiming to be Balmer’s former significant other and said that Balmer had "confessed to the act and wanted her to call police to turn him in.”
In a statement posted to X, Shapiro wrote, “Last night at about 2 AM, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene, and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police.
Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished. Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe. @PAStatePolice is on the scene leading this investigation and will keep the public updated.”
Per the outlet, the authorities stated, "While the investigation is ongoing, the State Police is prepared to say at this time that this was an act of arson.” Although there were no injuries, the damage to the Georgian-style residence along the Susquehanna River is considered significant.
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris told reporters in a press conference on Sunday night that Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, PA, was taken into custody and faces charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault. An investigation into the attack is ongoing, according to the Associated Press.
The Governor told reporters that he, his wife, four children, and two family dogs were joined by another family celebrating the Jewish Passover holiday Friday. The famlies were awoken at 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning by State Troopers alerting them that the mansion was on fire. The Shapiro family and guests were evacuated as firefighters engaged with the fire.
On Sunday, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens told reporters that Balmer scaled the fence at the Governor’s mansion prior to the incident, as reported by Fox News. Armed with “homemade incendiary devices,” Bivens revealed that Balmer “actively evaded troopers who were here to secure the residence.” He explained, "While [police] were searching is when he attacked at the residence, [and] broke in and set the fires."
"So that was all playing out over a period of several minutes. It was a very quick event that occurred, and, and again, troopers were actively searching for him at the time," Bivens added.
Balmer reportedly told police that he "harboring hatred" toward Shapiro and supported neither former President Joe Biden nor President Donald Trump, writing in a social media reply to a meme on gas prices, “Buck 85, but I said the same (expletive) when Trump took office. I don't play favorites especially since they all suck," per USA Today.
Prosecutors stated in an arrest affidavit that surveillance footage from the residence shows Balmer "surveilling the residence" before approaching the piano room on the south side, smashing a window in with a hammer and throwing a Molotov cocktail into the room, setting it ablaze.
Authorities were later contacted by a woman claiming to be Balmer’s former significant other and said that Balmer had "confessed to the act and wanted her to call police to turn him in.”
In a statement posted to X, Shapiro wrote, “Last night at about 2 AM, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene, and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police.
Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished. Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe. @PAStatePolice is on the scene leading this investigation and will keep the public updated.”
Per the outlet, the authorities stated, "While the investigation is ongoing, the State Police is prepared to say at this time that this was an act of arson.” Although there were no injuries, the damage to the Georgian-style residence along the Susquehanna River is considered significant.
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