A man previously released on bail is now at the center of a high-profile arson investigation after allegedly setting fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion while the first family was inside.
In the early morning hours, 38-year-old Cody Balmer reportedly scaled the fence of the governor’s residence in Harrisburg and used homemade incendiary devices to ignite a fire that damaged part of the south wing. Governor Josh Shapiro, his wife, and their children were inside at the time but escaped unharmed.
Balmer later turned himself in and now faces multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, arson, and burglary. Investigators say he admitted to targeting the governor and disclosed that he had planned the attack in advance.
Authorities have since confirmed Balmer was previously arrested in a domestic violence case in 2023 and had a known history of mental health issues. His mother had reportedly tried to initiate an involuntary psychiatric commitment just days before the attack, but he was released after not meeting the legal threshold for detention.
The incident took place just hours after the Shapiro family marked the beginning of Passover. In the aftermath, the governor condemned the act as a troubling reflection of the nation’s growing issues with political extremism and mental health neglect. Balmer is being held without bail, with court proceedings set to continue later this month.