What to know about suspect in fire at Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks to reporters outside his home. Photo: Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images
A man whom authorities say broke into the Pennsylvania governor's mansion and set fire to it while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were inside was denied bail Monday, a judge ruled.
The latest: Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, was arraigned during an initial court appearance on charges that include attempted murder and terrorism, hours after state police said he was treated at a local hospital for an unrelated "medical event."
- Balmer didn't enter a plea to the charges and is expected back in court April 23 for a preliminary hearing, per court records.
The big picture: Balmer is accused of setting alight part of the governor's mansion with homemade Molotov cocktails.
- Shapiro, who is viewed as a potential presidential contender in 2028, said in a Sunday social media post that he and his family were safely evacuated after an arsonist set fire to the home around 2am.
- The fire was extinguished, and no one was injured.
- State police said the blaze caused a "significant amount of damage" to the governor's mansion, including the piano and dining rooms where Shapiro and his family had earlier hosted members of the local Jewish community for Passover.
What they're saying: Shapiro said in a statement posted on X Monday that his family was "eternally grateful" to first responders for their quick actions. "From the bottom of all of our hearts, thank you," he wrote.
- Police Lt. Col. George Bivens told reporters his agency would review the security breach to ensure "we don't have a repeat situation like this."
- The FBI confirmed to Axios it is assisting Pennsylvania State Police in its investigation.
Zoom in: Balmer was arrested Sunday afternoon after state police said an ex-girlfriend called police and told them he had confessed to her that he had set the fire at Shapiro's home, per a probable cause affidavit released Monday.
- Balmer later turned himself in at state police headquarters and admitted during questioning that he had been "harboring hatred" toward Shapiro, state police wrote in the affidavit.
- Balmer told state police he would've beaten Shapiro with a hammer if he had encountered the state leader, the affidavit says.
Between the lines: Authorities said surveillance footage shows Balmer scaled a fence to gain access to the grounds of the governor's mansion, a 29,000-square-foot estate on the Susquehanna River.
- Balmer allegedly used a hammer to break a window and lob an "incendiary device" to start the first fire, authorities said.
- He broke another window and entered the mansion, where he started a second fire in the dining room, per the affidavit.
- State police said he then kicked in a door and ran off, escaping from the same location he entered.
Authorities recovered two broken glass Heineken bottles from inside the mansion that they say were filled with gasoline, plus gloves Balmer allegedly ditched in a trash can on a street nearby.
- Security footage captured the suspect wearing a snap-on jacket, black boots and carrying a black bag, items which state police say were later recovered during a search of Balmer's home.
Balmer was sentenced to 18 months of probation in 2016 for felony convictions of forgery and theft, per court records.
- Balmer also has a pending case for a simple assault charge from 2023.
- He is an active registered voter but hasn't declared his party affiliation, per state records.
- Balmer's mother told the AP that her son suffers from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
What we're watching: Balmer could also face federal charges, Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said Sunday.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.