The suspect accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion over the weekend was out on bail when he allegedly committed the crime, as per reports by Fox News.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, resident Cody Balmer, 38, who was out on bail, was scheduled to appear in court later this week for a 2023 simple assault charge. Sources indicate that the charge stemmed from a domestic dispute.
Appearing in court on Monday regarding the arson attack, Balmer displayed defiance by sticking his tongue out at reporters attempting to question him. During his interaction with Judge Dale Klein, Balmer described himself as a former welder currently without a job and clarified that he had no savings or income.
Balmer also said that he had no history of substance or alcohol abuse, and said that he had taken medication for mental health in the past, but that the pills “lead [him] to different types of behavior.” The judge later denied Balmer’s bail request on the grounds that his behavior endangered the community.
“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.”
