Pennsylvania Governor's Residence fire
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| Date | April 13, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | c. 2 a.m. (EDT) |
| Location | Pennsylvania Governor's Residence, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 40°16'38.0"N 76°53'55.6"W |
| Also known as | Attempted assassination of Josh Shapiro |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 0 |
| Property damage | Heavy damage to a portion of the home |
| Accused | Cody Allen Balmer |
| Charges | Attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, aggravated assault |
On Sunday, April 13, 2025, the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence was set on fire in an alleged arson while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside. The suspect, 38-year-old Cody Allen Balmer (born March 23, 1987), a former mechanic from nearby Penbrook, Pennsylvania, was later arrested and charged with terrorism, attempted murder, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault after he turned himself into the police.[1][2][3][4]
According to authorities, Balmer reported that he was planning to physically assault Governor Shapiro using a small sledgehammer had he encountered him.[5] Balmer lived in Penbrook throughout his entire life, and was a student at Dauphin County Technical School during his early teenage years. Following Balmer's arrest, his mother Christie Balmer told CBS News that her son has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and claimed that he "went off his medication".[6][7] The attack occurred on the first night of Passover, around 2 a.m. ET, just hours after Shapiro and his family had partaken in a Passover Seder.[3][4] Balmer told police that he used two Molotov cocktails to set the residence on fire.[8] Balmer had an extensive criminal history across Dauphin County dating back to 2015. According to an affidavit from the Penbrook Police Department, officers were dispatched in January 2023 to a report of domestic violence in Balmer's residence. Balmer told officers he’d taken "a bottle full of pills" in a suicide attempt and then gotten into a fight with his wife and 13-year-old son, who had stepped between them.[9][10] Shortly during his arrest, Balmer was transported to a local hospital for treatment after suffering a medical episode.[11]
See also
[edit]- Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot – Political violence – October 8, 2020
- Brett Kavanaugh assassination plot – Political violence – June 8, 2022
- Attack on Paul Pelosi – Political violence – October 28, 2022
- Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania – Political violence – July 13, 2024
- Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Florida – Political violence – September 15, 2024
References
[edit]- ^ Madani, Doha; Persaud, Yasmeen; Eaglin, Maya; Cohen, Rebecca; Weir, Andy (April 13, 2025). "Suspect in custody after overnight arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence". NBC News. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Levy, Marc (April 13, 2025). "Suspect arrested in arson fire that forced Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, family to flee residence". Associated Press. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Suspect Arrested in Arson Attack on Pennsylvania Governor's Residence. Inside Edition. April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Mitman, Hayden (April 14, 2025). "Man arrested in arson of Governor's home had 'hatred' for Shapiro, police say". Philadelphia: WCAU. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Levy, Marc; Scolforo, Mark (April 14, 2025). "Suspect in arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence planned to beat him, documents say". Associated Press. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Kukreti, Shweta (April 14, 2025). "Is Cody Balmer mentally unfit? His mother makes bombshell claim about approaching 'four police departments'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Boeckel, Nick; Penzenstadler, Jo; Ciavaglia, Teresa. "Man accused in Pennsylvania arson had limited criminal history: Who is Cody Balmer?". USA Today. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Simon, Alexandra (April 14, 2025). "Cody Balmer was "harboring hatred" toward Shapiro before setting fire at Governor's Residence, documents say". CBS News. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Tolan, Casey; Devine, Curt; De Puy Kamp, Majlie (April 14, 2025). "Shapiro arson suspect faced charges in domestic violence case, financial and legal turmoil". CNN. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Ciavaglia, Jo (April 14, 2025). "Cody Balmer, accused of arson attack at PA Gov. Shapiro's home, has violent history". PhillyBurbs. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ "Cody Balmer, suspect in attack at Pennsylvania governor's mansion, arraignment set for Monday". Lancaster, Pa.: WGAL-TV. April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025.