2025 Pennsylvania Governor's Residence arson

On April 13, 2025, part of the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence was set on fire in an alleged political assassination attempt while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were inside. The suspect, Cody Allen Balmer, a 38-year-old former mechanic from Penbrook, Pennsylvania, turned himself in and was charged with terrorism, attempted murder, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault. The attack happened around 2 a.m. on the first night of Passover after the family’s Seder. Balmer said he planned to attack Shapiro with a sledgehammer and used two Molotov cocktails to ignite the fire.

Balmer had a long criminal history in Dauphin County dating back to 2015. In 2023, he was involved in a domestic violence incident and a suicide attempt. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder but rejected the diagnosis and refused medication. His brother said Balmer believed his sister-in-law was a witch trying to curse him. He had schizophrenia and bipolar disorder according to his mother, was hospitalized twice, and had gone off his medication before the attack.

Originally a political independent, Balmer began supporting Donald Trump in 2024 and cited grievances over “injustices toward the people of Palestine” as his motive. He called Shapiro a “monster” in a 911 call and referenced plans against Palestinians.

President Trump said that Balmer was “probably just a whack job.” Governor Shapiro later cited “security failures” and noted Trump hadn’t initially contacted him. Trump eventually called Shapiro on April 19 in what Shapiro described as a “very gracious” conversation.

References

Category:2025 crimes in the United States
Category:2020s fires in the United States
Category:Harrisburg, Pennsylvania