Cody Balmer, 38, has been taken into custody by Pennsylvania State Police as a suspect in the nighttime arson assault that caused extensive damage at Governor Josh Shapiro’s Harrisburg home.
According to authorities, the fire, which started at around 2:00 AM on Sunday, was probably started on purpose by Cody Balmer.
The suspect in Sunday’s arson attempt at Governor Shapiro’s home is Cody Balmer of Harrisburg, according to Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. Police acknowledged at a press conference that Balmer climbed fences, escaped state troopers, and started the fire.
Who is Cody Balmer of Harrisburg who set fire to Governor Josh Shapiro’s house in Pennsylvania, bio, age, criminal record and social media accounts
Pennsylvania State Police have arrested 38-year-old Cody Balmer of Harrisburg as a suspect in the arson attack at Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in Harrisburg, which caused significant damage overnight. Cody has been identified as a Democrat and MAGA supporter through his social media posts.
Shortly after Governor Shapiro and his family were safely evacuated, Cody was taken into custody in the Harrisburg region. Francis Chardo, the district attorney for Dauphin County, said that aggravated assault against an enumerated person, attempted murder, terrorism, and attempted arson are among the upcoming charges. Balmer’s picture has not yet been made public by the authorities.
Deputy Police Commissioner George Bivens stated that Balmer was carrying a homemade incendiary device and managed to evade officers who were aware of a security breach.
Cody Balmer, 38, turned himself into police has since been charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, terrorism and other charges in connection with the fire, which occurred hours after Shapiro and his family hosted a Passover dinner and Balmer said he was angry with the governor and would have beaten him with a hammer if confronted, according to an affidavit filed early Monday.
Balmer hopped the fence surrounding the residence, broke two windows with a hammer and climbed in through one to get into the home, where he deployed “homemade incendiary devices” to start the fire and was inside the governor’s residence for less than one minute, and “actively evaded” troopers who were searching for him at the same time.
After Balmer fled the scene, a woman who identified herself as Balmer’s ex-partner called police to say that Balmer had confessed he was the one who started the fire.
Balmer then turned himself in to police headquarters and during an interview with police, Balmer said he removed gasoline from a lawn mower and poured it into beer bottles to make Molotov cocktails, which he threw into the governors home.
In a post on X, Governor Shapiro verified the occurrence, saying that when the fire was discovered, state police knocked on his door, waking him and his family. He said that no injuries were reported and that his family was safely evacuated by the authorities.
Although the fire was put out, state police acknowledged that it had caused “a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence.” A reward of up to $10,000 was offered by the authorities for information that would result in the arrest and conviction of the alleged arsonists.
Cody Balmer’s arrest
According to state court records, Cody Balmer’s arrest occurs only days before he is scheduled to appear in court for a plea hearing in a different case involving a simple assault allegation from 2023.
According to court records, Balmer entered a guilty plea in 2016 to charges of forgery and theft by deception in a different case.
The state has not yet filed any charges against Balmer in relation to the alleged arson. The state district attorney warned that he might also be charged at the federal level.
In an email to CNN, the FBI said that its Philadelphia field office is supporting state police in their investigation.