Suspect in Arson Attack on Governor Shapiro’s Home Held Without Bail as Investigation Continues
The man accused of setting fire to the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family on April 13 is being held without bail as authorities work to uncover what led to the destructive act.
Judge Klein ordered Balmer held in custody, citing concerns for both his safety and the safety of the public.
Balmer is scheduled to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing on April 23.
Following his arrest, he was taken to a hospital for treatment related to a “medical event not connected” to the arson, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.
Governor Shapiro and his family were in another section of the home when the fire broke out. They were alerted by state police and escaped without injury.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a woman alerted Harrisburg police and identified her ex-partner, Cody Balmer, as the person responsible for setting the fire.
Balmer reportedly told investigators he had been “harboring hatred” toward Governor Shapiro, though court documents did not elaborate on any specific motive behind the attack.
Who is Josh Shapiro?
Josh Shapiro is Pennsylvania’s third Jewish governor. In recent months, he has drawn criticism from some pro-Palestinian groups due to his strong support for Israel during its ongoing military campaign in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
At 51, Governor Josh Shapiro is considered one of the most prominent Democratic leaders in the nation and has faced speculation about a potential presidential run. He was reportedly on a shortlist to serve as Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 election.
Just hours before the arson attack, Shapiro and his family had been celebrating the beginning of Passover, the Jewish holiday marking the Exodus from Egypt.
Suspect’s Mother Speaks Out About Son’s Mental Health Struggles
Cody Balmer’s mother, Christie Balmer, shared with several news outlets that her son has been battling mental health issues and that she had recently attempted to get him help.
In an interview with CBS News, she described her son as “mentally ill” and mentioned that he had “gone off his meds.”
How the Suspect Gained Access to the Shapiro Residence
According to an affidavit, video footage showed Balmer surveilling the governor’s residence before climbing over a fence on the property’s south side. The suspect is accused of scaling the fence, breaking windows in a room identified as the piano room, and throwing gasoline-filled bottles into the house, igniting the fire.
Fragments of these bottles were recovered from the scene.