Harrisburg, Pa. – A man who allegedly trespassed onto the grounds of the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion, evaded capture, and set fire to the residence was taken into custody at a hospital after suffering a medical incident unrelated to his arrest, state police revealed on Monday. Cody Balmer, 38, reportedly confessed to authorities that he had intended to harm Gov. Josh Shapiro with a sledgehammer if he encountered him during the break-in. He is currently receiving medical treatment at the hospital, with police confirming that his hospitalization is not linked to his arrest.
Balmer’s mother disclosed that she had sought help for her son’s mental health issues, as he struggled with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and it is uncertain if the incident was influenced by Shapiro’s political or religious beliefs. The fire, which caused extensive damage to the mansion and forced the evacuation of the governor, his family, and guests, including members of the Jewish community celebrating Passover, is estimated to have resulted in millions of dollars in damages as per Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline.
Following his arrest, Balmer is facing charges of attempted homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault. State police report that Balmer had walked approximately an hour from his residence to the governor’s mansion, where he expressed feelings of animosity towards Gov. Shapiro during a police interrogation. Despite the ordeal, Shapiro emphasized his determination to continue his duties and uphold his faith, vowing not to succumb to fear or intimidation.
The police investigation revealed that Balmer had meticulously planned the attack, including hopping over a high iron security fence, making Molotov cocktails using beer bottles filled with gasoline, and deliberately setting the residence ablaze. His criminal history includes charges such as assault, theft, and forgery, along with experiencing financial difficulties that led to foreclosure on a property he owned in 2022. Balmer’s destructive actions have left a lasting impact on the mansion’s interior, with significant damage visible in the aftermath of the fire.
In response to the incident, Shapiro condemned the violence and called for unity and civility in society, emphasizing the need to denounce such malicious acts regardless of political affiliations. President Donald Trump also denounced the attack, highlighting the importance of preventing similar acts of violence in the future. As investigations continue and charges are pending, the community remains on edge, grappling with the aftermath of a targeted attack on their governor and his family.