A man accused of breaking into and setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence while the governor’s family slept admitted to “harboring hatred” for Shapiro, and said he would have beaten the governor with a hammer if they had encountered one another, court records allege.
Shapiro, his wife Lori, their four children, two dogs and another family were forced to evacuate the state-owned Harrisburg residence, which was significantly damaged by the fire early Sunday, hours after the family hosted a Passover dinner, the governor said. No injuries were reported.
Cody Balmer, 38, turned himself in to police and was being held on charges of attempted murder, aggravated arson, terrorism and other charges, authorities said. As of Monday morning, however, he was receiving treatment at a hospital following a “medical event not connected to this incident or his arrest,” police said.
Investigators believe mental health issues may be a factor, according to a source familiar with the investigation. Officials were struck by how casual and relaxed the suspect was throughout the ordeal, the source said.
Balmer admitted to setting the fire using homemade Molotov cocktails he fashioned from lawnmower gasoline and beer bottles, according to an affidavit filed by state police early Monday. Balmer knew it was possible the governor was home at the time, he said, and that people could have been hurt.
The case is seemingly the latest instance of violence or threats against an American elected official. A prominent Democrat, the 51-year-old Shapiro was one of several candidates considered for former Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate during her 2024 presidential bid. He has also been floated as a potential presidential candidate for 2028.
A surge in violent threats against politicians in recent years has included a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, in 2023 and two assassination attempts against President Donald Trump, a Republican, last year.
“This type of violence is not OK,” Shapiro said at a news conference Sunday, his voice rising. “We have to be better than this.”
Here’s what we know about the fire at Shapiro’s home and the response by officials:
Family Woken by Pounding on the Door
It took Balmer about an hour to walk from his Harrisburg home to the governor’s residence early Sunday, he told police in an interview outlined in Monday’s affidavit.
When he arrived, Balmer hopped the fence surrounding the residence, broke two windows with a hammer, threw an incendiary device through one of the broken windows – starting a fire – and climbed in through the other to enter the home, according to the affidavit, which cited footage captured by security cameras. Inside, Balmer threw a second incendiary device, causing more flames, the affidavit said.
Balmer then kicked a dining room door down and fled the scene, according to the affidavit.
Balmer was inside the governor’s residence for less than one minute, and “actively evaded” troopers who were searching for him at the same time, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said.
“He clearly had a plan,” Bivens said. “He was very methodical in his approach.”
A caller to emergency services reported a “large fire on the first floor” of the governor’s residence, adding they could “see fire out the windows,” according to audio from the Dauphin County Fire and EMS scanner obtained by CNN.
Shapiro and his family woke up around 2 a.m. Sunday to loud bangs on the door from one of the state troopers assigned to their detail alerting them to the flames, Shapiro told reporters.
Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded around 2 a.m. and extinguished the flames, according to state police.
A security review is now underway “to determine how we can ensure that we don’t have a repeat situation like this,” Bivens said.
Shapiro has praised law enforcement for its response. Despite that, the incident is seen by many within the Pennsylvania State Police as a failure, and some personnel could face discipline, according to the source familiar with the investigation.
The governor’s residence has 24/7 security, even when Shapiro is not home, the source said. The property also has numerous security cameras equipped with motion sensor technology that are supposed to be monitored. There have been numerous past instances where the motion sensors were tripped by squirrels and cats, the source said.
When the fires began early Sunday, the security team assumed someone was at the residence, but the team’s first priority was securing the governor and his family, the source noted. It appears the suspect did not have any contact with the governor’s detail.
Suspect Turned Himself In, Authorities Say
After Balmer fled the scene, a woman who identified herself as his ex-partner called police to say Balmer had confessed he started the fire, according to the affidavit.
Balmer then turned himself in to police headquarters, authorities said. Balmer told police he removed gasoline from a lawn mower and poured it into beer bottles to make Molotov cocktails, which he threw into the governor’s home, the affidavit said.
In his interview with police, Balmer admitted to “harboring hatred” towards Shapiro, the affidavit said, without elaborating on reasons for those feelings. Balmer also said he knew it was possible Shapiro and others were home when the fire started, the document said.
“Balmer was asked specifically what he would have done if Governor Shapiro found him inside of his residence, to which (Balmer) advised he would have beaten him with his hammer,” the affidavit reads.
Balmer’s arrest comes days before he is expected in court for a plea hearing in a separate case stemming from a 2023 simple assault charge, according to state court records. CNN has reached out to the attorney representing Balmer in that case.
In another case, Balmer pleaded guilty in 2016 to forgery and theft by deception charges, court documents show.
Balmer could also face federal charges, the district attorney said. The FBI’s Philadelphia field office is assisting state police in its investigation, the agency told CNN in an email.
Fire Left Historic Governor’s Residence Significantly Damaged
The fire caused “significant fire damage” to the residence’s piano room and the dining room, the affidavit said.
Walls and ceilings are torched, with floors covered in ash and furniture destroyed, photos show. There are remnants of the Passover dinner the governor hosted Saturday – including a “Passover Crafts” sign.
The Pennsylvania governor’s residence is a 29,000 square foot Georgian-style building on the Susquehanna
