Cody Balmer Denied Bail After Allegedly Setting Fire to Josh Shapiro’s Home

April 15, 2025 — Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has been denied bail following his arrest for allegedly setting fire to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were inside. ​

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 13. Balmer is accused of scaling the mansion’s security fence, breaking in with a hammer, and throwing homemade Molotov cocktails made from gasoline and beer bottles into the residence. Governor Shapiro, his wife, their four children, and house guests were asleep at the time but were safely evacuated after a state trooper alerted them. Fire Chief Brian Enterline noted that a closed stairwell door helped contain the fire, potentially saving lives. ​

The fire caused significant damage, particularly to the south wing of the mansion, including the dining and piano rooms. Balmer turned himself in to police and admitted to harboring hatred toward Governor Shapiro. He stated that he intended to assault the governor with a hammer if he had encountered him during the break-in. ​

Balmer faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, aggravated assault, and burglary. He did not enter a plea during his arraignment and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 23. ​

Authorities are investigating Balmer’s motives, including potential political or religious factors, as the attack occurred shortly after the Shapiro family hosted a Passover Seder. Governor Shapiro, who is Jewish, has emphasized his commitment to public service and religious freedom despite the incident. ​

Balmer’s mother has reported that her son suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and had stopped taking his medication prior to the attack. She stated that she had sought help for his mental health issues but was unsuccessful. ​

The FBI and local authorities continue to investigate the incident, which has drawn bipartisan condemnation and raised concerns about political violence in the United States. ​