An early morning attack on April 13 at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg has led to serious criminal charges against a Dauphin County man after an investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Authorities say 38-year-old Cody A. Balmer of Harrisburg unlawfully entered the grounds of the Governor’s Residence while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were inside. Video surveillance captured the suspect scaling a wall on the property before approaching a south-facing window and smashing it with a hammer. He then ignited and threw a Molotov cocktail into the residence, sparking a large fire.
According to officials, the suspect continued his assault by moving to an eastern window, where he forcibly entered the residence and ignited two more fires using similar incendiary devices. He eventually fled the building through a fire door. The entire series of events was caught on the residence’s security footage.
Governor Shapiro and his family were promptly evacuated from the residence and were unharmed. However, the fire caused significant damage to the historic building.
Later that same day, troopers interviewed Balmer, who admitted to carrying out the attack. A search of his residence in Penbrook Borough, Dauphin County, uncovered a distinctive “Snap-On” jacket seen in the surveillance footage and a bag containing a gasoline container in his bedroom.
Balmer has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and related offenses.
Balmer was taken into custody without incident and charged through Magisterial District Court 12-1-02. Due to a medical event unrelated to the incident or his arrest, he was transported to a local hospital where he remains under Pennsylvania State Police supervision. Authorities say he will be transferred to Dauphin County Prison for arraignment once medically cleared.