Man Charged with Attempted Murder and Terrorism for Arson Attack on Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion

Attack on Governor's Residence

• 🚨 Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were awakened by a state trooper during an early Sunday morning attack on the governor's mansion in Harrisburg.
• 💥 A man broke into the residence and set two Molotov cocktails on fire, causing damage to the piano room and dining room.
• 🕯️ The fires were set hours after the Shapiro family had celebrated Passover with friends and family, with a sign mentioning Passover crafts and parts of a Torah visibly charred.

Suspect Identified and Apprehended

• 👤 Police identified the suspect as 38-year-old Cody Balmer, who later turned himself in after his ex-girlfriend reported his involvement.
• 🚗 Balmer confessed to removing gasoline from a lawn mower, pouring it into Heineken bottles, and throwing them into the residence after scaling the perimeter fence and breaking windows.
• 🔨 Balmer admitted that if he had encountered Governor Shapiro inside, his intention was to beat him with a hammer.

Charges and Investigation Details

• ⚖️ Balmer faces serious charges including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person.
• 🔍 The District Attorney is considering charging the incident as a hate crime due to the timing during Passover and the governor's Jewish faith.
• 🔒 A security review is underway to determine how the breach occurred and to enhance future security measures at the governor's residence.

Governor's Response and Community Impact

• 🗣️ Governor Shapiro emphasized that this violence is not okay and must stop, regardless of its source or target.
• ✊ He stated he would not be deterred from his work as governor or from celebrating his faith proudly, drawing parallels to the Passover story of moving from bondage to freedom.
• 🤝 The governor thanked the state police and first responders for their swift action in securing his family and apprehending the suspect.

Legal and Security Considerations

• ❓ Questions remain about how the suspect breached the security perimeter of the governor's mansion.
• 🌐 The possibility of federal charges is being considered, depending on the full analysis of the suspect's motives.
• 📜 Balmer has prior criminal convictions, including forgery, and an open assault case, adding complexity to the legal proceedings.