In a recent incident in Hershey, Pennsylvania, authorities are investigating the motives behind a man’s decision to set fire to the official residence of Governor Josh Shapiro. The inquiry is focusing on potential underlying reasons, such as the suspect’s possible animosity towards Shapiro due to his Jewish heritage or his political stance concerning the conflict in Gaza.
The suspect, identified as Cody Balmer from Harrisburg, demonstrated hostility towards the governor. Search warrants issued on Wednesday uncovered initial insights into a possible motive for the arson that transpired early Sunday morning. This attack took place in a room where Governor Shapiro had earlier celebrated Passover with his family and members of the Jewish community.
An hour after the blaze broke out, Balmer made a 911 call, during which he confessed and mentioned the suffering of Palestinians, according to police documents. However, details about whom Balmer referred to remain unclear due to partial quotes within the search warrants. Balmer allegedly stated, “our people have been put through too much by that monster,” and conveyed a message to Shapiro, insisting he not participate in plans detrimental to the Palestinian people.
After turning himself in, Balmer admitted to harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro during an interview with police, per an affidavit. Investigators have been searching Balmer’s electronic devices and a storage locker for writings that might mention Governor Shapiro or refer to Palestine, Gaza, Israel, or the Gaza conflict.
Governor Shapiro refrained from speculating on the incident’s motive, leaving the determination to prosecutors. He expressed that it wasn’t his place to provide that answer. Publicly, Shapiro has been a critic of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration and the military actions in Gaza, while affirming Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas.
Balmer, aged 38, was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a diagnosis he reportedly rejected, according to his brother, Dan Balmer. On two occasions, Dan assisted Cody in seeking treatment at Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute. In court, Cody Balmer denied having any mental health issues, portraying himself as an unemployed welder with no financial resources. The court has denied him bail, holding him on charges that include attempted homicide, terrorism, and arson, although he has yet to enter a formal plea.
Dauphin County’s chief public defender, Mary Klatt, announced a delay in the preliminary hearing to evaluate Balmer’s competency for trial. A team of attorneys will represent him due to the case’s complexity. “The allegations, if proven, illustrate the dire impact of severe mental illness,” Klatt remarked.
Court documents indicate Balmer intended to assault Governor Shapiro with a sledgehammer if he had encountered him, a claim outlined in this latest case of political violence in the United States. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi conversed with Shapiro about the arson incident, which she termed “absolutely horrific,” affirming her belief that the suspect intended to kill.
Federal agencies are collaborating with state authorities to assist in the prosecution effort. State police also announced that an independent expert would evaluate the security risks at the governor’s official residence. Shapiro assured enhancements to current safety protocols, expressing full confidence in his security team’s capabilities.
Dan Balmer reported Cody’s troubling behavior, including an incident the previous night when he flipped over a table at their parents’ home. Search warrants detail how Cody scaled a high security fence, avoided detection, broke a window with a hammer, and threw a gasoline-filled bottle into the residence’s piano room. He reportedly ignited a second Molotov cocktail in the state dining room, then fled after opening a door.
Governor Shapiro, his spouse, their four children, and another family celebrated Passover night; they were subsequently awakened by state troopers at approximately 2 a.m. and evacuated, though no one was harmed as firefighters quickly contained the blaze.
Following the ordeal, Shapiro recounted having numerous discussions with his children, explaining the challenges in answering their questions about such events and the existence of individuals who wish harm upon others.