Newly obtained court documents reveal the man accused of setting fire to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence early Sunday, while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were inside, allegedly targeted the governor due to his perceived views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to a search warrant obtained by PennLive.com, Cody Balmer, 38, of Penbrook Borough, which sits outside of Harrisburg, contacted 9-1-1 after the predawn attack and identified himself. He reportedly told the dispatcher that Shapiro needed to understand he “will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.”
The warrant further states that Balmer said he needed to “stop having my friends killed” and that “our people have been put through too much by that monster.”
Investigators noted in the warrant that Balmer’s speech appeared to be scripted, PennLive.com reported.
An affidavit of probable cause filed against Balmer said his ex-girlfriend called police to identify him. He later arrived at the state police headquarters outside of Harrisburg before confessing to the attack.
Search warrants were executed Sunday night on locations connected with Balmer, authorities said.
Christie Balmer, the daughter of the defendant, told CBS News earlier this week that her son “is mentally ill and he went off his medication.”
The defendant’s mother stated said she tried to get him “picked up” last week and contacted four police departments but “couldn’t get anybody to help.”
Spotlight PA, a news partner of this organization, reported a neighbor stated Balmer suffers from mental health issues that had escalated recently.
Dauphin County District Judge Dale Klein asked Balmer, according to Spotlight PA, at the preliminary arraignment Monday if he had mental health issues, and Balmer responded, “That’s the rumor, but no ma’am.”
Balmer is U.S. Army veteran and a mechanic.
U.S. Army spokesperson Heather J. Hagan said Balmer served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 2004 to 2012.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by troopers, Balmer jumped the fence at the Governor’s Residence early Sunday morning and broke a window, throwing a Molotov cocktail into the residence. He then broke another window and entered the building, where he deployed a second device in the dining hall.
State police said Balmer then fled and climbed back over the fence.
Security video showed Balmer fleeing the scene of the attack, state police said.
State police Lt. Col. George Bivens told reporters Sunday evening that troopers at the residence were alerted to a potential intruder and were searching the grounds when the attack happened.
“He clearly had a plan. He was very methodical in his approach, and moved through it without a lot of hurry,” Bivens said. “It all happened very quickly and he was back out.”
Shapiro and his family were safely evacuated as the residence burned before being extinguished by firefighters from the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire.
State police fire marshals said they found broken Heineken beer bottles filled with gasoline at the scene.
Not far from the state-owned residence, troopers said they found mismatched gloves smelling of gasoline that matched those seen on Balmer in the security video.
After turning himself in and being questioned at the Harrisburg state police barracks, Balmer told investigators he removed gasoline from a lawnmower and filled the beer bottles at his home. He said he was aware his actions could have harmed people inside the residence and that he would have attacked Shapiro with a hammer if he had encountered him, court papers stated.
Balmer is being held without bail on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated arson, burglary, reckless endangerment, terrorism, aggravated assault, and loitering and prowling at nighttime.
Balmer’s Facebook page showed several anti-establishment posts, including claims that former President Joe Biden owed him money and expressions of dislike for Biden supporters. He also shared posts from conservative political influencers in years past and mocked supporters of the man who previously held the office of president, while stating that people should “stop being Democratic or Republican.”
The fire caused “significant” damage to the 29,000-square-foot residence. The damage appeared to be largely confined to a hall used for public events.
State police, the Pennsylvania Capitol Police, Harrisburg police, and the FBI were involved in the probe into the attack.
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