The individual who is alleged to have set fire to the mansion belonging to the Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, was presented in court on Monday. During his arraignment, he provocatively stuck his tongue out at journalists seeking to question him.
Cody Balmer, a resident of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, appeared in court that Monday evening. When addressing Judge Dale Klein, Balmer mentioned that he used to work as a welder but was presently unemployed, revealing that he had no savings or source of income.
In addition, Balmer claimed to have no record of substance or alcohol abuse. He disclosed that although he had taken medication for mental health previously, these drugs had influenced his behavior negatively. The judge ultimately refused Balmer’s request for bail due to concerns that his actions posed a threat to the local community.
Earlier on Monday, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) said that Balmer was “currently receiving treatment” at a hospital for a “medical event not connected to this incident or his arrest.”
“He actively evaded troopers who were here to secure the residence,” the official explained. “While [police] were searching is when he attacked at the residence, [and] broke in and set the fires…it was a very quick event that occurred.”
Shapiro denounced the attack on Sunday and expressed gratitude to the authorities who saved him and his family.
Cody Balmer, 38, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and related offenses for allegedly setting fire to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s, D-Penn., governor’s mansion on April 13, 2025. (Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office)
“This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society,” Shapiro said. “And I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another. It is not okay and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.”
