HARRISBURG, Pa. (WPVI) — The man charged with firebombing the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg pleaded guilty in court on Tuesday to attempted murder and other charges.
Cody Balmer, 38, also entered pleas to terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, 21 counts of reckless endangerment and loitering in the April 13 attack that did millions of dollars in damage to the state-owned brick building.
Under a plea deal, Balmer was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.
Balmer hopped a fence at the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, broke windows and hurled Molotov cocktails inside he made from beer bottles and gasoline, police said.
The attack occurred in the middle of the night while Shapiro and his family were asleep upstairs. No one was injured.
The fire destroyed the dining room where Shapiro had hosted a Passover seder just hours earlier.
Investigators say Balmer told them he targeted Shapiro’s residence because of the Democrat’s views on the war in Gaza.
Balmer called 911, identified himself and confessed, allegedly telling the dispatcher that Shapiro “needs to know that he ‘will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.'”
He told police he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he had encountered him after breaking into the building, according to court documents. Balmer turned himself in the next afternoon to face charges of attempted homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault.
The fire charred walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Window panes and brick around doors and windows were also damaged.
PHOTOS: Fire damage at residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro
Pictured: Damage at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion after an act of arson on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
State of Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Media Services
Shapiro’s Jewish faith and the attack during the Passover weekend raised questions about Balmer’s motivation, but Balmer told The Associated Press in a May letter from jail that had not been a factor in his decision.
“He can be Jewish, Muslim, or a purple people eater for all I care and as long as he leaves me and mine alone,” Balmer wrote.
He said in a brief June 9 video interview from Camp Hill State Prison that he did think beforehand about whether children might be injured.
“Does anyone ever consider children?” Balmer said in June. “It doesn’t seem that way. I sure as hell did. I’m glad no one got hurt.” Asked why he felt Shapiro had somehow done him wrong, Balmer replied: “I’m not going to answer that.”
Balmer’s mother said days after his arrest that she had tried to get him assistance for mental health issues, but “nobody would help.” Court proceedings had been delayed while he received mental health treatment, his lawyer has said.
At a court hearing a few days after the fire, Balmer told a judge he was an unemployed welder with no income or savings and “a lot of children.”
The residence, built in 1968, did not have sprinklers. Work to fix the damage and to bolster its security features continues.
The Associated PRess contributed to this report.
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