A man accused of breaking into the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion and setting it on fire was denied bail Monday as he faced a series of serious charges, including attempted homicide, terrorism, and arson. Authorities say the suspect, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, scaled a security fence in the middle of the night, evaded law enforcement, and ignited a fire inside the historic residence while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were home.

Context

Balmer appeared in court late Monday after being released from a hospital following an unrelated medical incident. According to court documents, he told police he intended to attack Gov. Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he had encountered him during the break-in. Investigators have not yet identified a specific motive, and it remains unclear whether the alleged attack was politically or religiously motivated.

Cody Balmer is taken from a courtroom Monday, April 14, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa., after being denied bail for charges he broke into the governor’s residence and started a fire that did extensive damage. Cody Balmer is taken from a courtroom Monday, April 14, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa., after being denied bail for charges he broke into the governor’s residence and started a fire that did extensive damage. Associated Press

What to Know

Balmer’s mother told The Associated Press on Monday that she had recently sought help for her son’s mental health issues but said “nobody would help.” She noted that he had stopped taking his medication. In court, however, Balmer denied having any mental illness.

“That’s the rumor, but no, ma’am,” he said.

He described himself as an unemployed welder with no income or savings and said he had “a lot of children.”

He did not enter a plea to the charges, which include attempted homicide, aggravated assault, arson, and terrorism.

The early Sunday morning fire caused extensive damage to the Pennsylvania governor’s residence and forced Shapiro, his family, and visiting relatives to evacuate. The 1968-built mansion lacked a sprinkler system, and damage is estimated in the millions, according to Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline.

Just hours before the fire, Shapiro and his family had celebrated Passover in the same room with guests from the local Jewish community.

According to police, Balmer walked an hour from his home to the residence, fueled by what he described as hatred toward the governor. After the attack, he returned home and later turned himself in after confessing to a former partner. He was already scheduled to appear in court this week in a separate 2023 assault case involving family members.

What People Are Saying

Shapiro said at a news conference Sunday, “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. 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.”

Balmer appears to have posted several social media posts criticizing former president Joe Biden. President Donald Trump told reporters Monday that Balmer did not appear to be a fan of his, either, “The attacker basically wasn’t a fan of anybody,” he said. “And certainly, a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen.”

What Happens Next

Balmer is being held without bail at Dauphin County Prison.

Update: 4/14/25, 6:45 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

Update: 4/14/25, 6:56 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.