Updated: 8:15 p.m. Monday April 14th
District Judge Dale E. Klein arraigned suspected arsonist Cody Balmer at 5:45 p.m this evening. Balmer was denied bail, to reasonably assure the safety of all court records show with his next court appearance set for April 23. The Harrisburg man who set fire to the Governor’s residence, early Sunday telling Pennsylvania State Police investigators he hates Gov Josh Shapiro will make his next court appearance April 23 in front of Judge J. Matthew Pianka
Original Story Below
The Harrisburg man who set fire to the Governor’s residence, early Sunday telling Pennsylvania State Police investigators he hates Gov Josh Shapiro will make his next court appearance April 23 in front of Judge J. Matthew Pianka
Investigators said late Sunday night they have a suspect in custody who allegedly scaled a fence to get to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion setting fire to it using “Molotov Cocktails” telling investigators he has “hatred” for Governor Josh Shapiro.
Cody A. Balmer, 38, will be charged with felony counts of attempted homicide. aggravated arson, three counts of aggravated assault, terrorism and related offenses, according to online court records.
Balmer’s preliminary arraignment on the charges has yet to be scheduled, the records show as of 4:15 am Monday.
According to state police, video surveillance showed Balmer surveilling the residence and then unlawfully entering the grounds over a wall at around 2 a.m. He approached one of the south side windows. Using a hammer he had brought, he quickly broke the window after multiple blows. He then threw a Molotov Cocktail into the residence which ignited a substantial fire. Balmer then moved to an east window and forcibly entered the residence, authorities said.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.
Within the residence, he started two more fires with two other Molotov Cocktails. He then fled through a fire door. These actions were captured on video surveillance, the probable cause alleges.
Gov. Shapiro and his family and were at the residence during the attack and had to be evacuated.
The fire caused substantial damage to the governor’s residence. Video surveillance showed that the perpetrator was wearing a “Snap-On” jacket with distinctive shoulder patches, the probable cause alleges.
Troopers interviewed Balmer, who admitted to being the arsonist, court records show. Balmer turned himself into investigators at Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters on Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg, according to the criminal complaint.
The Pennsylvania State Police executed a search warrant at Balmer’s residence in Penbrook Borough, Dauphin County. Within the bedroom he used, troopers recovered the unique Snap-On jacket with the distinctive shoulder patches and a bag containing a gasoline container, according to the probable cause.
Dauphin Co Dist Attorney Fran Chardo discussing the details of the Balmer arrest
Credit: Commonwealth Media
While the fire was successfully extinguished, it caused significant damage to a portion of the residence. The governor and his family were present in a different part of the residence. They were evacuated safely and not injured. The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H is currently on scene and spearheading a multi-agency investigation, state authorities, Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris said.
Shapiro was celebrating the first night of Passover with friends and family at the governor’s mansion.
“We do know this attack was targeted. We don’t know the person’s specific motive yet. We do know a few truths, Shapiro said.
This kind of violence is not ok!, Shapiro said, angrily, noting it’s becoming commonplace no matter a person’s political inclinations.
“It has to stop! We have to be better than this.”
Shapiro said if this individual was trying to deter him from his job as governor, rest assured I will find a way to work even harder, than I was just yesterday for the good people of Pennsylvania. If the suspect was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community that came here for a Passover Seder in that room Saturday night, hear me on this. We celebrated our faith in that room proudly and in a few we will do it again.
“No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly” Shapiro said.
Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Saturday night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe, Shapiro said.
You can read the criminal complaint filed by State Police here
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence. Credit: PACast
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