A Pennsylvania man with a history of mental illness, domestic abuse allegations, and financial distress is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly firebombing the official residence of Governor Josh Shapiro while the governor and his family were inside. Cody Allen Balmer, 38, was arrested Sunday and arraigned Monday on charges including attempted homicide, aggravated arson, and terrorism.
Magisterial District Judge Dale Klein denied Balmer bail, citing concerns for public safety. Authorities say Balmer climbed a fence and used homemade Molotov cocktails-constructed from lawnmower gasoline and beer bottles-to ignite a fire at the governor's Harrisburg mansion around 2 a.m. Sunday. "He clearly had a plan," Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said. "He was very methodical in his approach."
Security camera footage and police affidavits allege Balmer broke two windows with a hammer, threw incendiary devices into the home, and briefly entered before fleeing. The Shapiro family, including four children and guests, were evacuated without injury after being alerted by state troopers. The fire caused significant damage to the dining and piano rooms of the 29,000-square-foot residence, which has housed Pennsylvania governors since 1968.
Balmer later turned himself in, admitting to police that he knew people were inside the house and that he "harbored hatred" for the governor. When asked what he would have done if he encountered Shapiro inside, he responded that he "would have beaten him with his hammer," according to the affidavit. Law enforcement sources say Balmer appeared casual and unrepentant throughout the process.
The motive remains under investigation. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo told CNN authorities are probing whether antisemitism played a role, given the attack occurred hours after a Passover Seder hosted by Shapiro. "We're looking at the possibility that it was geared towards the governor's religion and his views on Israel," Chardo said.
Balmer's digital footprint shows years of incendiary posts criticizing both major political parties and expressing disdain for President Joe Biden. In one 2022 post, he shared an embroidered image of a flaming Molotov cocktail with the caption, "Be the light you want to see in the world." Another post from November 2022 read, "Can't pay rent? Sell your f**** organs!... This is America."
His mother, Christie Balmer, told CBS News that her son was mentally ill and had recently stopped taking his medication. "This is what happened," she said, adding she had tried and failed to get law enforcement to intervene in the days leading up to the attack.
Court records show Balmer was already scheduled to appear in court this Wednesday in a pending domestic violence case from January 2023, in which he allegedly assaulted his wife and children during what he described as a failed suicide attempt. According to affidavits, Balmer shoved and punched his sons, stepped on one child's broken leg, and bit his wife's hand. He was released on $5,000 unsecured bail, which his wife's attorney said was meant "to make [it] easier to co-parent."
The assault case remains unresolved. Balmer had also been the subject of a mortgage foreclosure lawsuit and was previously convicted of forgery, serving 18 months probation.
Balmer's military background includes eight years in the Army Reserve as a construction equipment repairer. A U.S. Army spokesperson confirmed he held the rank of sergeant and had no deployments. Officials declined to comment on his discharge status.
Gov. Shapiro condemned the attack during a press conference, calling it an attack on "the entire commonwealth of Pennsylvania." "This type of violence is not OK," he said. "If this individual was trying to deter me from doing my job as your governor, rest assured, I will find a way to work even harder than I was."
Shapiro, one of several Democrats floated as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, also highlighted his Jewish identity and vowed that "no one will deter me or my family, or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly."
The FBI's Philadelphia office is assisting state police with the investigation. Federal charges are reportedly under consideration. A preliminary hearing for Balmer is scheduled for April 23.
