Video shows arson attack at Pennsylvania governor's home

Cody Balmer has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, along with multiple other charges, including aggravated arson, 22 counts of arson (one for each victim endangered by the fire), burglary, and related offenses. Above: Video of arsonist inside governor’s residence.Judge Deborah E. Curcillo accepted a plea agreement from District Attorney Fran Chardo, sentencing Balmer to 25 to 50 years in a state correctional institution. Balmer will not be eligible for parole until April 13, 2050, at the age of 63, and could remain under supervision until 2075 if paroled.Caught on cameraSecurity camera video from the night of the attack was shown in court for the first time Tuesday, showing Balmer smashing a window and tossing a Molotov cocktail inside (see below). That fire caused major damage in the reception room. The video also showed Balmer breaking into the house and attempting to move further into the mansion toward where the governor and others were sleeping, but he was unsuccessful.Balmer made it all the way to a door that led to the hallway where the Shapiro’s private living quarters were.Governor speaksGov. Josh Shapiro delivered an emotional statement about the guilty plea alongside his wife Lori, reflecting on the emotional toll the incident has taken on him and his family.“It’s hard for me to stand before you today and utter the words ‘attempted murder,’ when it’s your own life, to know that someone tried to kill me. It’s especially hard to know that he tried burn our family to death while we slept,” Shapiro said.You can watch Shapiro’s full remarks below.At the time Balmer set the fires within the residence, Shapiro, the First Lady, three of their children, fifteen overnight guests, including other members of the governor’s family, and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were all inside the home, according to the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office. WGAL obtained the Shapiros’ victim impact statement that was read in court on Tuesday. You can read that here. Details of the crimeDate of the incident: April 13, 2025Location: Governor’s Residence, 2035 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PAActions:Balmer surveilled the governor’s residence for an extended period before climbing the property’s fence.He carried two Molotov cocktails and a sledgehammer.He then broke another window to gain entry into the residence.The commonwealth released video evidence that captured the attack. Balmer, who was 38 at the time of the crime, will serve a minimum of 25 years before parole eligibility. If released, he will remain under supervision until the age of 88.MotiveBalmer turned himself in at the Pennsylvania State Police Departmental Headquarters the same day of the attack and submitted to an interview.”He indicated that he targeted the governor’s residence, and specifically Governor Shapiro. For reasons, Balmer cited the military actions of the State of Israel in Gaza. He said that, if he came upon the governor, he would have struck him with the hammer,” a statement from the DA said.

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

Above: Video of arsonist inside governor’s residence.

Judge Deborah E. Curcillo accepted a plea agreement from District Attorney Fran Chardo, sentencing Balmer to 25 to 50 years in a state correctional institution.

Balmer will not be eligible for parole until April 13, 2050, at the age of 63, and could remain under supervision until 2075 if paroled.

Caught on camera

Security camera video from the night of the attack was shown in court for the first time Tuesday, showing Balmer smashing a window and tossing a Molotov cocktail inside (see below). That fire caused major damage in the reception room.

The video also showed Balmer breaking into the house and attempting to move further into the mansion toward where the governor and others were sleeping, but he was unsuccessful.

Balmer made it all the way to a door that led to the hallway where the Shapiro’s private living quarters were.

Governor speaks

Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered an emotional statement about the guilty plea alongside his wife Lori, reflecting on the emotional toll the incident has taken on him and his family.

“It’s hard for me to stand before you today and utter the words ‘attempted murder,’ when it’s your own life, to know that someone tried to kill me. It’s especially hard to know that he tried burn our family to death while we slept,” Shapiro said.

You can watch Shapiro’s full remarks below.

At the time Balmer set the fires within the residence, Shapiro, the First Lady, three of their children, fifteen overnight guests, including other members of the governor’s family, and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were all inside the home, according to the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office.

WGAL obtained the Shapiros’ victim impact statement that was read in court on Tuesday. You can read that here.

Details of the crime
Date of the incident: April 13, 2025Location: Governor’s Residence, 2035 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PAActions:Balmer surveilled the governor’s residence for an extended period before climbing the property’s fence.He carried two Molotov cocktails and a sledgehammer.He then broke another window to gain entry into the residence.

The commonwealth released video evidence that captured the attack.

Balmer, who was 38 at the time of the crime, will serve a minimum of 25 years before parole eligibility. If released, he will remain under supervision until the age of 88.

Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office

Investigators recovered the sledgehammer used in the attack.

Motive

Balmer turned himself in at the Pennsylvania State Police Departmental Headquarters the same day of the attack and submitted to an interview.

“He indicated that he targeted the governor’s residence, and specifically Governor Shapiro. For reasons, Balmer cited the military actions of the State of Israel in Gaza. He said that, if he came upon the governor, he would have struck him with the hammer,” a statement from the DA said.

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