Cody Balmer referenced Gaza, "Palestinian people" after fire at Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence, documents say
Cody Balmer, the man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence over the weekend, had "political motivation" connected to the conflict in Gaza, documents released Wednesday show.
Balmer is accused of scaling a perimeter fence at the Harrisburg property, breaking windows and throwing Molotov cocktails early on Sunday, April 13, hours after Shapiro, who is Jewish, celebrated the Passover Seder with his family.
A search warrant released by Pennsylvania court officials said Balmer called 911 just before 3 a.m. Sunday and identified himself by name. Balmer said that Shapiro needed to know that Balmer "will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people."
Balmer added in the phone call that "he needs to stop having my friends killed" and that "our people have been put through too much by that monster."
Police were also seeking to seize any writings or notes related to Palestine, Gaza, Israel or the current conflict, according to the search warrant.
Balmer's ex-girlfriend called the state police and said Balmer was responsible for setting the fire, according to the document. The woman said Balmer confessed to her that he set the fire and wanted her to call police to turn him in.
Balmer turned himself in a short time later at PSP headquarters on Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg and later spoke to troopers after being read his rights.
Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said his office was considering whether ethnic intimidation charges — Pennsylvania's equivalent of hate crime charges — could be filed in the case.
On Wednesday, Shapiro answered several questions from reporters about the fire at an unrelated event commemorating a new Hershey's chocolate manufacturing plant.
"Nothing he could do would deter me from proudly and openly practicing my faith," Shapiro said.
"I told you that day that I was going to be heading to our second Seder, and we did, we had a beautiful Seder together. And I continue to find strength in my faith as we go forward here," he added.
The governor referenced his prior condemnations of violence after the assassination attempt on President Trump at the Butler Farm Show and after the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was allegedly killed by Luigi Mangione.
"This kind of violence has no place in our society, regardless of what motivates it," Shapiro said. "This is not how we resolve our differences, and this is not OK. This level of violence has to end, and it has to be roundly condemned by everyone, both political parties, people from all walks of life. It's not OK."
Cody Balmer's 911 call released by Dauphin County District Attorney's Office
CBS News Philadelphia obtained Cody Balmer's 911 call to Dauphin County the day of the alleged arson attack.
The call is about 1 minute and 13 seconds long. Here is the transcript of the 911 call:
Operator: 911, what's the address of the emergency?
Balmer: Hi.... I don't really have an emergency. I would like to apologize. Umm...Gov. Josh Shapiro needs to know that Cody Balmer will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people. He needs to leave my family alone.
He needs to get his eyes off of my daughters and he needs to stop having my friends killed like he killed, had Manny killed two weeks ago or last week on Saturday. Our people have been put through too much by that monster.
I....All he has is the banquet hall to clean up. I'm tired of offering extensions of peace. I only want to be able to provide for my children. I should not be taken to these extremes. It's not fair. I wish no harm unto anyone.
But that man, that man...is doing serious serious harm to probably yourself included. And I do wish you the best, sir. You all know where to find me. I'm not hiding and will confess to everything I have done.
How did Cody Balmer get onto the secured Governor's Residence grounds and get away?
The documents say Balmer possessed two Heineken beer bottles containing gasoline when security cameras observed him climbing a perimeter fence near the home. Those bottles were Molotov cocktails, police said.
The document said he broke a window and threw one of the bottles inside, sparking a fire. Balmer allegedly then moved to another window, broke the glass and climbed inside the home, throwing another Molotov cocktail inside the dining room.
He was later observed fleeing the property and a canvass of private security cameras in the area revealed the route he used to get away. Gloves that smelled of gasoline were found in a trash can along that route.
Balmer later told officers he returned home and removed the clothes he wore while allegedly setting the fire. Troopers later recovered a Snap-On black jacket, a black bag and a small sledgehammer that police said matched what Balmer was wearing in the surveillance footage.
Third party will review how suspected arsonist accessed Shapiro's home
The Pennsylvania State Police said it is engaging with a third-party expert for an independent security review into the fire at the governor's mansion.
"This independent review will consist of a risk and vulnerability assessment of the Governor's Residence and grounds following a security breach and criminal arson that occurred on Sunday, April 13, 2025," a PSP spokesperson said in an email.
Shapiro said he thinks the independent review is warranted, but that he has "total faith" in his detail and in the PSP.
