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From Fox News: The man who allegedly set fire to the mansion of Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Penn., and his family turned himself in, according to the criminal complaint obtained by Fox News.
Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, was first identified to police by an ex-lover after he allegedly confessed to her and “wanted her to call police to turn him in,” the complaint said. It was only a short time later that Balmer turned himself in outside Pennsylvania State Police headquarters, police said.
While being interviewed by troopers, “Balmer admitted to harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro.” Balmer allegedly told investigators “he removed gasoline from a lawn mower and poured it into Heineken bottles he found at his residence.”
Balmer allegedly said he walked an hour to the governor’s mansion “with the intention of throwing his homemade Molotov cocktails into the residence.”
According to police, Balmar admitted that he climbed over the fence, broke two windows with a hammer, and then threw Molotov cocktails inside the residence.
Balmar also told police he was aware that Shapiro and his family were likely at home and may be injured. Even worse, Balmar said he if had come face to face with Shapiro, “he would have beaten him with his hammer.”
Balmer has been enthralled with molotov cocktails for some time. In June 2022, he posted a mocking image of one on his Facebook page.
Balmer’s mugshot was just released Monday morning:
Cody Balmer mug shot just released — police say he admitted to torching Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence while the family slept inside. https://t.co/h7ICHqrzVX pic.twitter.com/YbaFSdQFDY
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) April 14, 2025
Images have been shared on social media of the horrific damage caused by the fire:
Photos from inside Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion after police say an arsonist set fire to the house while Governor Shapiro and his family slept inside around 2am.
Cody Balmer of Harrisburg was arrested — planned charges include attempted murder and terrorism. pic.twitter.com/GWEfC3B8qH— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) April 13, 2025
If you wondered about the raw emotion from @GovernorShapiro in that press conference these photos speak as to why— this was a fast moving fire and it was meant to inflict harm. He’s not just a governor. He’s a father and a husband and his family was there. pic.twitter.com/7JlEDaL8Hm
— ZitoSalena (@ZitoSalena) April 13, 2025
Photos show the extent of the fire damage to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion after it was set ablaze by arsonist Cody Balmer.
We are grateful that Governor Josh Shapiro and his family escaped unharmed. pic.twitter.com/PBE1BqOhkW
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) April 14, 2025
The man accused of setting fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion was charged with terrorism, arson and attempted murder. He told investigators he would have beaten Josh Shapiro with a hammer if he had found the governor. https://t.co/uqxr3N2DHA
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) April 14, 2025
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