‘This type of violence is not OK’: Emotional Shapiro addresses media
An investigation was underway after a fire tore through the Pennsylvania governor’s residence in Harrisburg early on Sunday, April 13. Gov Josh Shapiro said he and his family were awoken at about 2 am and evacuated “safely” by Pennsylvania State Police and Capitol Police. Police announced in a press conference outside the residence they had arrested 38-year-old Harrisburg man Cody Balmer in relation to the attack. He was expected to be charged with attempted murder, arson and terrorism. In the same press conference, an emotional Shapiro lambasted the attack. “This type of violence is not ok,” Shapiro said, his voice rising in anger. “I don’t give a damn if it’s from one particular side or another. It’s not ok.” Shapiro added the attack occurred on the first night of Passover, and that other members of the local Jewish community had been celebrating in the state dining room with him and his family. “No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly or proudly,” he said. Credit: Governor Josh Shapiro via Storyful
Cody Allen Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism and related offenses tied to the fire at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home this weekend.
Balmer has a limited criminal history, including several traffic violations in Pennsylvania.
He was charged with forgery in 2015 and sentenced to 18 months of probation, according to court records. He has a pending assault charge from 2023 and was scheduled to appear in court this week. Balmer’s public defender in that case did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
A copy of the criminal complaint was not immediately available.
In June 2023, Balmer and a woman split and filed a custody suit in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Balmer took primary custody of a 5- and 2-year-old, according to court documents. The spouse did not immediately return messages seeking comment on Monday.
An ex-girlfriend called state police and said Balmer confessed to her that he started the fire and asked her to turn him in, according to the criminal affidavit related to the arson.
On Sunday state police offered a $10,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction in the case, but it was not immediately clear if she will be eligible for it. State police officials did not immediately respond to an email early Monday asking about the reward.
Home in foreclosure, a mobile mechanic
Online records show that his Canby Street home was in foreclosure last year and sold in September for $60,000.
His last public post on his Facebook page was in 2023. Balmer described himself as a certified master mechanic offering convenient mobile service and roadside service by appointment, and he posted a 2019 photo of his certificate from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
Social media gets political, references Biden
At least several earlier posts on the page appear to mock former President Joe Biden including a 2021 meme that said, “Joe Biden owes me 2 grand,” and “RIP Joe Biden… Whoops that’s in may, #Notmypresidenteither.”
But Balmer does not appear to be a Trump supporter either. In a March 2021 response to a meme he posted about gas prices, Balmer wrote: “Buck 85, but I said the same (expletive) when Trump took office. I don’t play favorites especially since they all suck.” Online records show Balmer is registered as an active voter, but did not declare a political party; he last voted in the 2022 General Election.
Among his 2022 posts are memes that read,”Hey Friend I know the world is scary right now, but it’s gonna get way worse,” “And knowing is half the battle. The other half is extreme violence.”
Another meme shows a needlepoint of a molotov cocktail that read, “Be the Light You Want to see in the World.”