HARRISBURG, PA —The man who attempted to kill Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro by firebombing his residence while he and his family were asleep pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted homicide and other charges.
Cody Balmer, 38, also entered pleas to terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault of Shapiro, reckless endangerment and loitering.
Under a plea deal, Balmer will serve 25 to 50 years in prison.
In a news conference following the sentencing, Shapiro said, “This is a just outcome and our family fully supported the plea.”
Meanwhile, the Dauphin County District Attorney’s office on Tuesday released surveillance video of Balmer’s attack.
The two minute, 20 second video shows the man walking up the residence, and stopping at an illuminated window. Shortly after, the area ignites. He then approaches another nearby window and crawls inside for a brief period of time before retreating.
“The video is chilling,” Shapiro said. “I’ve been trying to unsee him for the last six months.”
Balmer turned himself in after allegedly setting off Molotov cocktails in the Governor’s Residence on the first night of the Jewish Passover holiday in April. Shapiro and his family were sleeping inside. No one was harmed, but the governor’s state-owned residence suffered millions of dollars in damage.
Police say Balmer broke in through the southern wing of the residence, into a room often used to entertain crowds and display art. Investigators recovered two broken glass beer bottles containing gasoline. The fire charred walls, tables, buffet serving dishes, plates and a piano. Window panes and brick around doors and windows were also damaged.
Shapiro said he and his family still feel a sense of vulnerability every day.
“We will forever be changed,” he said. “But we know that time will heal.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.