HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Investigators are delving into the background of Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old Harrisburg resident, to uncover the motive behind the arson fire at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's mansion. This incident, which occurred over the weekend, marks yet another event of political violence in the United States.
Authorities claim that Balmer breached an iron security fence during the night, evaded police, and set fire to the governor's residence. Currently, he faces serious charges, including attempted homicide, terrorism, and arson, and has been denied bail. As of now, Balmer has not entered a plea regarding these charges.
Reports indicate that Balmer had disclosed to law enforcement his intention to attack Governor Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he encountered him within the mansion. However, the specific motives behind the attack, including any political or religious motivations linked to Shapiro, remain unclear. Balmer's mother expressed concerns about her son's mental health, mentioning that she had sought help for him but felt ignored, while Balmer himself claimed in court that he suffers from no mental health issues.
The arson incident occurred while Governor Shapiro, along with his family and guests, was inside the mansion, which is used for official functions and gatherings. Shapiro, his wife, their four children, two dogs, and other relatives were forced to evacuate when state troopers alerted them in the early hours of Sunday morning around 2 a.m. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as firefighters managed to extinguish the fire, which caused extensive damage amounting to potentially millions of dollars.
Balmer is reported to have planned the attack meticulously. He traversed approximately an hour's distance from his home to the governor's mansion, where he allegedly harbored animosity towards Shapiro. After the incident, police found clothing worn during the attack along with a small sledgehammer at his residence. It was also confirmed that Balmer had used Molotov cocktails made from beer bottles filled with gasoline to ignite the fire.
Following the fire, Balmer voluntarily turned himself in at the state police headquarters after confessing to his former partner, who subsequently contacted the authorities. He is currently unemployed and financially struggling, having faced an array of criminal charges over the past decade, including simple assault and theft. Recently, he settled a significant debt by selling his home for $60,000 after facing foreclosure in 2022.
Balmer's private life is also tumultuous; he is the father of at least three children, with custody disputes filed by two women in recent years. Following the chaos, Governor Shapiro expressed his commitment to continue his work undeterred by the violence faced. In an emotional statement, he asserted that the attack would not suffice to curtail his duties or his faith, conveying a message of resilience against such intimidation tactics.
Additionally, the fire resulted in severe damage to a prominent entertainment room within the mansion, further revealing the extent of destruction. The windows were shattered, and numerous items, including a piano and serving dishes, were left charred. Balmer's prior criminal background, mental health discussions, and the political climate surrounding the incident coincide to create a complex narrative that investigators are continuing to unravel.
