Mugshot of Cody Balmer, who allegedly set fire to the governor's mansion in Harrisburg. (Credit: Dauphin County District Attorney's Office)
A man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence in Harrisburg has reportedly told authorities he acted in protest of the governor’s perceived stance on Palestinian issues.
Investigators have not released a motive for the fire, but a search warrant signed by the Pennsylvania state police indicated that the suspect, Cody Balmer, allegedly intended to harm Shapiro and his family because of "what he wants to do to the Palestinian people."
Balmer, 38, was arrested and faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and arson. Authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation, and a review of security measures at the governor's residence is underway.
The incident occurred in the early hours of April 13, 2025, when Balmer allegedly breached the property, broke windows, and threw incendiary devices into the building. Governor Shapiro and his family were inside at the time but escaped unharmed.
According to court documents, the suspect later contacted emergency services, expressing opposition to the governor's policies related to Palestine and indicating a willingness to confess to his actions.
Balmer allegedly said that Shapiro needed to "stop having my friends killed," according to the document. "Our people have been put through too much by that monster," Balmer allegedly said.
Governor Shapiro has condemned the attack, emphasizing that violence has no place in society and that the legal process will determine the appropriate response.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also condemned the actions of Balmer while speaking to reporters at the Department of Justice on Wednesday.
"It is absolutely horrific what happened to him," Bondi said. "We have been praying for Josh, for his family. Those photos, it was horrible. I firmly believe that they wanted to kill him. The defendant allegedly said he was going to use a hammer if he could have gotten to the governor. I've known the governor many, many years. It is horrible, and yes, we are working with state authorities to do -- it's now a pending investigation -- anything we can to help convict the person that did this and keep them behind bars as long as possible."
Bondi stopped short of calling Balmer's actions "domestic terrorism," a term she used recently to describe a string of attacks on Tesla dealerships across the country.
