The accused domestic terrorist who broke into Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence and set it ablaze told investigators he planned to murder the governor with a hammer if they encountered each other, according to court documents released Monday.
Cody Balmer, 38, faces charges of terrorism, attempted homicide, aggravated arson, burglary, and related offenses after allegedly setting fire to the governor’s mansion early Sunday morning, forcing Shapiro and his family to flee for their lives in the middle of the night.
During police interviews, “Balmer admitted to harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro,” court documents reveal. Investigators say Balmer described in detail how he removed gasoline from a lawn mower, poured it into Heineken bottles found at his residence, and created homemade Molotov cocktails.
Balmer allegedly told police he walked an hour to the governor’s mansion “with the intention of throwing his homemade Molotov cocktails into the residence.” Troopers say Balmer then scaled the nearly 7-foot-high iron security fence surrounding the property, broke two windows with a hammer, and threw the incendiary devices inside.
Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said Balmer “appeared to have carefully planned the attack” and had gained access to the residence before attempting to escape.
The fire caused significant damage to the south wing of the governor’s residence, particularly to a large room often used for entertaining and art displays. Photos released by authorities show charred walls, shattered windows, and badly damaged furniture, including a burned piano.
🚨 HOLY SHT… parts of the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion are totally decimated inside.
Someone tried to take out Governor Josh Shapiro. He and his family were sleeping when this happened, 2AM.
This is madness!
Photos: @BrianEntin / @NewsNation pic.twitter.com/OqdBYX21GS
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 14, 2025
The attack came just hours after Shapiro, his wife, their four children, two dogs, and guests from the Harrisburg Jewish community had celebrated the first night of Passover in the same room.
“We were awakened by state troopers pounding on our doors,” Shapiro said at a Sunday evening news conference. “We don’t know the person’s specific motive yet, but we do know a few truths. First: This type of violence is not OK.”
“This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society,” he 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 OK, and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.”
According to the criminal complaint, Balmer turned himself in shortly after the attack. He was first identified to police by an ex-lover after he allegedly confessed to her and “wanted her to call police to turn him in.” Police say Balmer then turned himself in outside Pennsylvania State Police headquarters.
Security cameras captured Balmer “wearing a black ‘Snap-On’ jacket, black boots and carrying a bag” at the mansion, according to police. Troopers later found the jacket, bag, and a small sledge hammer at Balmer’s home.
The suspect acknowledged during questioning that he was aware people could be inside the residence and “it was a possibility that people could be injured by his actions.” Had Balmer encountered the governor, he allegedly said “he would have beaten him with his hammer,” the police report stated.
Members of President Donald Trump’s administration expressed relief that Shapiro and his family weren’t harmed.
Vice President JD Vance posted on social media —
Thanks be to God that Governor Shapiro and his family were unharmed in this attack.
Really disgusting violence, and I hope whoever did it is brought swiftly to justice. https://t.co/U47C6mXvDP
— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 14, 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi said she is “deeply relieved” the Shapiros are unharmed and thankful for the first responders who arrived on the scene.
Court records indicate Balmer has faced a host of criminal charges over the past decade, including charges of assault, theft, and forgery. It remains unclear if Balmer has an attorney.
Shapiro, who connected the attack to the Passover holiday his family had just celebrated, struck a defiant tone.
“I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us as they did here last night,” he said. “I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love.”