Cody Balmer, the suspect accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion, was arraigned on Monday and showed disrespectful behavior towards reporters. Balmer, a former welder without a job or income, claimed he had no history of substance abuse but expressed that medication for mental health had caused him to behave differently. He was currently receiving treatment at a hospital for a medical event not related to the incident. Balmer faced charges of attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and other offenses for allegedly setting the fire at 2 a.m. while Shapiro and his family were asleep after celebrating the first night of Passover.
Authorities reported that Balmer brought homemade incendiary devices to the governor’s mansion and evaded troopers who were there to secure the residence. The attack was described as a quick event where Balmer broke in and set fires. Shapiro condemned the attack and emphasized the increasing violence in society, calling for an end to such behavior regardless of its origins or targets. He expressed his gratitude towards the authorities who prevented harm to him and his family during the incident. The Pennsylvania State Police indicated that Balmer admitted harboring hatred towards Shapiro, which fueled his actions on the night of the incident.
Shapiro’s mansion was set on fire while he and his family were asleep, prompting charges against Balmer for multiple serious offenses that included attempted murder and aggravated arson. Balmer entered the court on Monday and presented himself as a former welder without current employment, income, or savings. Although he stated that he had no history of substance abuse, Balmer admitted to experiencing behavioral changes due to medication for mental health. He was receiving treatment at a hospital for a medical event unrelated to the incident. The Pennsylvania State Police provided details of the break-in at the governor’s mansion, where Balmer was said to have used homemade incendiary devices to start the fire after evading troopers on the scene.
During a press conference following the incident, Shapiro expressed his dismay at the attack on his residence and emphasized the need for a reduction in violence across society, irrespective of its direction or target. He thanked the authorities for their quick response, which prevented harm to him and his family. Balmer was arraigned on charges of terrorism, attempted murder, aggravated arson, and other related offenses after setting the fire at the governor’s mansion, where Shapiro and his family were asleep at the time. Balmer’s disdain towards Shapiro was revealed by the Pennsylvania State Police, highlighting the nature of his motivations behind the attack. Despite the terrifying ordeal, Shapiro reiterated the importance of stopping such violent acts and called for a collective effort to address the rising violence in society.
In response to the attack on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion, Cody Balmer was arraigned on charges of burglary, terrorism, attempted murder, and aggravated arson. Balmer entered the court on Monday, where he showed disrespectful behavior towards reporters and identified himself as a former welder with no current income or savings. He claimed that medication for mental health had led him to exhibit different behavior and was receiving treatment at a hospital for an unrelated medical event. The Pennsylvania State Police reported details of the break-in at the governor’s mansion, where Balmer used homemade incendiary devices to start the fire at 2 a.m. while Shapiro and his family were asleep, celebrating Passover. Shapiro condemned the attack and called for an end to the violence in society, regardless of its origins or targets, expressing his gratitude towards the authorities who prevented harm to him and his family during the incident.
