Arsonist who firebombed Pennsylvania Gov Josh Shapiro’s mansion pleads guilty to terrorism and murder charges

The arsonist who firebombed the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of the Democratic lawmaker.

Cody Balmer, 38, told police he harbored ‘hatred’ towards Shapiro, who is Jewish, after throwing a Molotov cocktail at his official residence in April.

Shapiro was inside the property with friends and family as they celebrated the first night of the Passover holiday at the time of the attack.

Asked what he would have done had he encountered Shapiro in the residence during the attack, Balmer told investigators he would ‘have beaten him with his hammer.’

Balmer also entered pleas to terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault of Shapiro, 21 counts of reckless endangerment and loitering in the attack that caused millions of dollars in damage to the state-owned brick building.

Under a plea deal, he was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison, far less than he could have faced if the case had gone to trial.

He declined to address the judge about the crime, answering questions with short, simple answers.

Defense attorney Bryan Walk said Balmer ‘is taking full responsibility’ and paying ‘a hefty price for a man who’s 38 years old.’

Cody Balmer, accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence, leaves Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa

Shapiro, accompanied by his wife Lori Shapiro, speaks during a news conference after Balmer pleaded guilty

Balmer used spent beer bottles filled with gasoline to make the homemade explosives before scaling an iron security fence at the property and throwing them.

Prosecutors played video clips that showed Molotov cocktails going off and a figure inside and outside the residence. Judge Deborah Curcillo called the clip ‘horrific’ and ‘very frightening.’

Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said the video shows Balmer hitting the doors leading to where Shapiro and his family were sleeping, but he was unable to get through.

Smoke was building up inside as Balmer deployed the second incendiary device. Fifteen overnight guests – including children – and two state troopers were inside.

Shapiro and his wife, Lori, provided a victim statement read in court that described how they were left feeling exposed in ways they would not have imagined, calling it ‘a fear and anxiety we are learning to live with.’ The experience has added stress to their children’s lives, they wrote.

Balmer told police he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he had encountered him after breaking into the building, according to court documents. Balmer turned himself in the next afternoon.

Police say Balmer broke in through the southern wing of the residence, into a room often used to entertain crowds and display art. Investigators recovered two broken glass beer bottles containing gasoline.

Balmer used spent beer bottles filled with gasoline to make the homemade explosives before scaling an iron security fence at the property and throwing them

Photos show the sheer extent of the damage to the Governor’s Mansion, which has housed Pennsylvania’s leaders since the building was completed in 1968

The fire charred walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Window panes and brick around doors and windows were also damaged.

Balmer’s former girlfriend and the mother to his two children called police to inform them that he attacked the property. She alleged he wanted her to tell investigators.

He previously denied having any mental health conditions, having described himself as unemployed and said he had ‘a lot of children.’

Balmer´s mother Christie said days after his arrest that she had tried to get him assistance for mental health issues, but ‘nobody would help.’

Speaking to CBS, she said: ‘So he was mentally ill, went off his meds, and this is what happened.’

Christie claimed she’d reached out to four different departments seeking help for her son, but ‘couldn’t get anybody to help.’

Court proceedings were delayed while he received mental health treatment, his lawyer has said.

Balmer arrives for his arraignment Monday, April 14, 2025, in Harrisburg

A letter from Balmer’s relatives read in court on Tuesday said he stopped taking medication, leading to manic episodes and a ‘dark and difficult path.’

The attack on a Jewish governor during Passover raised questions over Balmer’s motive in the attack.

He told the Associated Press in a letter from behind bars that Shapiro’s religion was not a factor.

Balmer wrote: ‘He can be Jewish, Muslim, or a purple people eater for all I care and as long as he leaves me and mine alone.’

When asked if he considered that his attack might injure children, he added: ‘Does anyone ever consider children?.

‘It doesn’t seem that way. I sure as hell did. I’m glad no one got hurt.’ Asked why he felt Shapiro had somehow done him wrong, Balmer replied: ‘I’m not going to answer that.’