Cody Balmer, accused of burning down the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, leaves the Dauphin County Courthouse October 14, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Matt Slocum/AP
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Matt Slocum/AP
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A man who climbed an iron security fence in the middle of the night, eluded police and used beer bottles filled with gasoline to ignite the occupied Pennsylvania governor’s mansion pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted murder of Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Cody Balmer also pleaded to terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault, 21 counts of reckless endangerment and loitering in the April 13 attack that caused millions of dollars in damage to the state-owned brick building.
As part of a plea deal, Balmer was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison, far less than he could have faced if the case had gone to trial. He refused to address the judge about the crime, responding to questions with short, simple answers.
Defense lawyer Bryan Walk said Balmer “takes full responsibility” and pays “a heavy price for a 38-year-old man.”
Accountability for political violence Shapiro said afterward that he and his family supported the plea deal and that it allowed for true accountability.
They had to be awakened and evacuated, but no one was injured in the fire. The multiple arson and endangerment charges reflected the number of people who were in the residence at the time, including guests and state police.
Shapiro lamented the impact of growing political violence, noting that he has heard from leaders around the world about their own feelings of vulnerability and from potential political candidates who say they don’t want to run because it would put their families at risk. The Democrat spoke about stamping out hate days after the killing of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, and criticized what he called the “rage rhetoric” of Republican President Donald Trump, who himself was shot last year while campaigning in Pennsylvania.
Shapiro said Tuesday that political violence should not be accepted as the normal course of business for elected officials.
Shapiro called it an “ongoing effort” to ease her children’s concerns following the attack.
“Why would anyone want to harm us, our children will wonder. How did they get so far into the Governor’s Mansion, a place that is supposed to be the safest place we can be?” Shapiro said at a news conference after the plea.
Video of security breach Security video played in court shows Balmer breaking a window, throwing a Molotov cocktail into a dining room often used to entertain crowds, then using a small hammer to smash another window and crawl into the space. The footage shows Balmer got far enough into the building to break down the doors leading to where Shapiro and his family were sleeping, but he couldn’t get through.
He lights a second fire, then leaves the room and walks across the yard, never encountering state police on the property.
Judge Deborah Curcillo called the video “horrible” and “very frightening.”
Shapiro and his wife, Lori, provided a victim impact statement read in court that described how they felt exposed in unimaginable ways, calling it “a fear and anxiety that we learn to live with.”
Balmer told police he planned to beat Shapiro with the small hammer if he encountered him after the break-in, according to court documents. Balmer returned the next afternoon.
Questions about motive and mental health The attack hours after the family celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover with a Seder at the residence raised questions about Balmer’s motivation, but Balmer told The Associated Press in a letter sent to prison in May that the governor’s faith was not a factor.
“He can be Jewish, Muslim or a purple people eater, it doesn’t matter and as long as he leaves me and mine alone,” Balmer wrote.
Balmer told investigators he was concerned about the potential number of casualties from the war in Gaza, and his comments indicated he was willing to commit suicide for what he saw as compensation for the war, Chardo said.
Balmer told the AP in a brief June 9 video interview from Camp Hill State Prison that he had considered beforehand whether children might be harmed.
“Is anyone thinking of the children?” Balmer said in June. “It doesn’t appear to be the case. I’m sure it is. I’m glad no one was hurt.” When asked why he thought Shapiro hurt him, Balmer said, “I’m not going to answer that question.”
Balmer’s mother said days after his arrest that she tried to get him help for mental health issues, but “no one would help him.” Court proceedings were delayed while he received mental health treatment, his lawyer said.
A letter from Balmer’s loved ones, read in court Tuesday, said he stopped taking his medication, which led to manic episodes and a “dark and difficult path.”
Balmer previously told a judge he was an unemployed welder with no income or savings and “with a lot of children.”
The residence, built in 1968, did not have sprinklers. The fire charred the walls, the tables, the buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Glass and bricks around doors and windows were also damaged.
Work to repair the damage and strengthen its security features continues.
