HARRISBURG, Pa. – A man who climbed over an iron security fence in the dead of night, managed to evade police, and attempted to set the Pennsylvania governor’s home on fire using gasoline-filled beer bottles has pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder and more.
Cody Balmer, 38, admitted to charges including terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault on Gov. Josh Shapiro, 21 counts of reckless endangerment, and loitering during the April 13 incident that caused millions in damage to the state-owned brick mansion.
Under a plea deal, Balmer was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.
Governor Shapiro and his family had to be roused from sleep and evacuated, yet thankfully, nobody was harmed. The numerous arson and endangerment counts were due to the number of people present, including the governor’s guests, family, and state troopers.
The attack occurred mere hours after a Passover Seder celebration in the residence. Prosecutors displayed video that showed Molotov cocktails going off, with a figure visible inside and outside the building. The presiding Judge Deborah Curcillo described the footage as “horrific” and “very frightening.”
According to court records, Balmer told police he intended to attack Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if they had crossed paths inside the mansion. Balmer surrendered to authorities the afternoon following the incident to answer charges of attempted homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault.
Investigators report Balmer entered through the southern section of the residence, a space typically used for hosting and art displays. They found two broken beer bottles filled with gasoline. The fire caused extensive damage, scorching walls, tables, buffet dishes, plates, a piano, and damaging window panes and brickwork around doors.
Shapiro’s Jewish faith and the attack during the Passover weekend raised questions about Balmer’s motivation, but Balmer told The Associated Press in a May letter from jail that had not been a factor in his decision.
“He can be Jewish, Muslim, or a purple people eater for all I care and as long as he leaves me and mine alone,” Balmer wrote.
He said in a brief June 9 video interview from Camp Hill State Prison that he did think beforehand about whether children might be injured.
“Does anyone ever consider children?” Balmer said in June. “It doesn’t seem that way. I sure as hell did. I’m glad no one got hurt.” Asked why he felt Shapiro had somehow done him wrong, Balmer replied: “I’m not going to answer that.”
Balmer’s mother said days after his arrest that she had tried to get him assistance for mental health issues, but “nobody would help.” Court proceedings had been delayed while he received mental health treatment, his lawyer has said.
At a court hearing a few days after the fire, Balmer told a judge he was an unemployed welder with no income or savings and “a lot of children.”
The residence, built in 1968, did not have sprinklers. Work to fix the damage and to bolster its security features continues.
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