A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for a man after police said he intentionally set fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence in Harrisburg early Sunday morning.”I REFUSED TO BE TRAPPED:” GOV. SHAPIRO SPEAKS ON SUSPECT, FIRE AT RESIDENCE Cody Balmer, 38, was taken into custody and arraigned Monday after officials were called to the Governor’s Residence on North Front Street around 2 a.m. Sunday, following reports of a fire. When officials arrived to the residence, they said a fire significantly damaged a portion of the residence. Shapiro, along with his wife, children, and other members of his family were inside a differnt area of the home when the fire occurred. During a news conference Sunday afternoon, Dauphin County Francis Chardo said Balmer was taken into custody after he jumped over a fence on the property and set fire to a portion of the residence.”He had jumped over a fence and got onto the property,” Chardo said. “He then forcibly broke in and set fire to the residence.Lt. Col. George Bivens with state police further added during the conference that Balmer had set fire to the residence with a handmade device, doing so in a quick manner.”He actively evaded troopers who were here to secure the residence, even while they were searching for him on the property,” Bivens said. “While they were searching for him is when he attacked the residence, broke in, and set the fires.”Shapiro said just hours before the fire, he was gathered with family and friends to celebrate the first night of Passover in the room where the flames were ignited.”I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempted to put on me and my family,” Shapiro said. “I refuse to let anyone with evil intentions stop me from being a leader and looking out for Pennsylvania residents.” Shapiro said the attack appeared to be targeted, although an exact motive remains unclear. This type of violence is not OK, it’s becoming too common in our society, and I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one side or another, one party or another, and it’s not OK. It has to stop,” Shapiro said Sunday. WHO IS CODY BALMER Before charges in relation to the fire were filed, officials said Balmer was already due in court this coming Wednesday on charges stemming from the domestic assault allegations.According to court records obtained by ABC News Monday, Balmer had worked as an auto mechanic in the Harrisburg area and served eight years as an Army Reservist from his late teen years onward.U.S. Army spokeswoman Heather J. Hagan said in a statement that Balmer was a construction equipment repairer (62B) in the Army Reserve from April 2004 to June 2012. He had no deployments and was a sergeant when he left the Army. The Army did not say whether or not he had been discharged honorably, citing privacy laws.In 2022, ABC News reported, Balmer was sued by a mortgage lender seeking to foreclose on his Harrisburg house. As of June 2024, Balmer was said to owe nearly $117,000, plus interest.Documents said a sheriff’s sale was set, but Balmer’s lawyer asked for the sale to be postponed amid difficulty “making ends meet.”His lawyer said Balmer had “fallen behind in his mortgage due to several hardship factors, including injuries from an auto accident leading to his inability to work and maintain an income and a separation from his wife,” ABC News said. Still, he had just found a buyer despite “numerous issues in and with the property” and needed time to finish the sale, ABC News continued. Amid financial difficulties, in January 2023, Balmer was involved in an alleged violent confrontation with his then-wife and two children, who were under the age of 15 at the time of the incident. Balmer told the officer “that he had taken a bottle full of pills in an attempt to kill himself,” the affidavit obtained by ABC News said. “An argument ensued between Cody and to a point that his 13-year-old son stepped in between them. Cody then admitted to shoving his son and that a fight ensued between all parties. Cody showcased injuries to his face.”The assault case is still pending in Dauphin County. A separate criminal docket said a hearing in that case was scheduled for this coming Wednesday.ONLINE HISTORY SHOWS ‘HATRED’ TOWARDS POLITICIANS, POLICE SAY A Facebook profile being reviewed by law enforcement in connection to Balmer reflects a mix of family photos with what appeared to be an expression of disdain for politicians on both sides of the aisle, ABC News stated. Pictured on his profile showed a mixture of selfies with children wearing costumes and critiques of both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, the latter of whom he criticized for his age and his economic policies.In addition, officials said, multiple posts complaining about the cost of living in the country were also found. In Nov. 2022, he posted, “Can’t pay rent? Sell your f**** organs! No more organs? F**** die then this is America be grateful for the opportunity you had.”WHAT’S TO COME NEXT Balmer was arraigned late Monday evening after being hospitalized for a “medical event,” according to state police. Officials said the event had no relation to the acts of the fire. Pennsylvania State Police are continuing to investigate the motive behind the arson. Balmer was denied bail and is now facing charges including attempted homicide, aggravated arson, and terrorism. It is unclear what will happen to the previous charges. Balmer was supposed to appear in court this week. VIDEO ABOVE: Suspect in governor’s residence arson arraigned
HARRISBURG, Pa. —A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for a man after police said he intentionally set fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence in Harrisburg early Sunday morning.
Cody Balmer, 38, was taken into custody and arraigned Monday after officials were called to the Governor’s Residence on North Front Street around 2 a.m. Sunday, following reports of a fire.
When officials arrived to the residence, they said a fire significantly damaged a portion of the residence. Shapiro, along with his wife, children, and other members of his family were inside a differnt area of the home when the fire occurred.
During a news conference Sunday afternoon, Dauphin County Francis Chardo said Balmer was taken into custody after he jumped over a fence on the property and set fire to a portion of the residence.
“He had jumped over a fence and got onto the property,” Chardo said. “He then forcibly broke in and set fire to the residence.
Lt. Col. George Bivens with state police further added during the conference that Balmer had set fire to the residence with a handmade device, doing so in a quick manner.
“He actively evaded troopers who were here to secure the residence, even while they were searching for him on the property,” Bivens said. “While they were searching for him is when he attacked the residence, broke in, and set the fires.”
Shapiro said just hours before the fire, he was gathered with family and friends to celebrate the first night of Passover in the room where the flames were ignited.
“I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempted to put on me and my family,” Shapiro said. “I refuse to let anyone with evil intentions stop me from being a leader and looking out for Pennsylvania residents.”
Shapiro said the attack appeared to be targeted, although an exact motive remains unclear.
This type of violence is not OK, it’s becoming too common in our society, and I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one side or another, one party or another, and it’s not OK. It has to stop,” Shapiro said Sunday.
WHO IS CODY BALMER
Before charges in relation to the fire were filed, officials said Balmer was already due in court this coming Wednesday on charges stemming from the domestic assault allegations.
According to court records obtained by ABC News Monday, Balmer had worked as an auto mechanic in the Harrisburg area and served eight years as an Army Reservist from his late teen years onward.
U.S. Army spokeswoman Heather J. Hagan said in a statement that Balmer was a construction equipment repairer (62B) in the Army Reserve from April 2004 to June 2012. He had no deployments and was a sergeant when he left the Army.
The Army did not say whether or not he had been discharged honorably, citing privacy laws.
In 2022, ABC News reported, Balmer was sued by a mortgage lender seeking to foreclose on his Harrisburg house. As of June 2024, Balmer was said to owe nearly $117,000, plus interest.
Documents said a sheriff’s sale was set, but Balmer’s lawyer asked for the sale to be postponed amid difficulty “making ends meet.”
His lawyer said Balmer had “fallen behind in his mortgage due to several hardship factors, including injuries from an auto accident leading to his inability to work and maintain an income and a separation from his wife,” ABC News said.
Still, he had just found a buyer despite “numerous issues in and with the property” and needed time to finish the sale, ABC News continued.
Amid financial difficulties, in January 2023, Balmer was involved in an alleged violent confrontation with his then-wife and two children, who were under the age of 15 at the time of the incident.
Balmer told the officer “that he had taken a bottle full of pills in an attempt to kill himself,” the affidavit obtained by ABC News said. “An argument ensued between Cody and [his wife] to a point that his 13-year-old son stepped in between them. Cody then admitted to shoving his son and that a fight ensued between all parties. Cody showcased injuries to his face.”
The assault case is still pending in Dauphin County. A separate criminal docket said a hearing in that case was scheduled for this coming Wednesday.
ONLINE HISTORY SHOWS ‘HATRED’ TOWARDS POLITICIANS, POLICE SAY
A Facebook profile being reviewed by law enforcement in connection to Balmer reflects a mix of family photos with what appeared to be an expression of disdain for politicians on both sides of the aisle, ABC News stated.
Pictured on his profile showed a mixture of selfies with children wearing costumes and critiques of both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, the latter of whom he criticized for his age and his economic policies.
In addition, officials said, multiple posts complaining about the cost of living in the country were also found.
In Nov. 2022, he posted, “Can’t pay rent? Sell your f**** organs! No more organs? F**** die then this is America be grateful for the opportunity you had.”
WHAT’S TO COME NEXT
Balmer was arraigned late Monday evening after being hospitalized for a “medical event,” according to state police.
Officials said the event had no relation to the acts of the fire.
Pennsylvania State Police are continuing to investigate the motive behind the arson.
Balmer was denied bail and is now facing charges including attempted homicide, aggravated arson, and terrorism. It is unclear what will happen to the previous charges. Balmer was supposed to appear in court this week.
VIDEO ABOVE: Suspect in governor’s residence arson arraigned
