Cops: Arson Suspect Planned Hammer Attack on Governor

Motive not yet clear after fire at residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro
Posted Apr 14, 2025 1:15 AM CDT
Updated Apr 14, 2025 6:43 AM CDT
Suspect Arrested After Arson at Pennsylvania Governor's House
Damage to Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence is shown after someone set fire to the building on Sunday, April 13, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa.   (Sean Simmers /The Patriot-News via AP)

Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the Sunday morning arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence. Authorities say they plan to charge Harrisburg man Cody Balmer, 38, with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. In addition, he could face federal charges, CNN reports.

  • Court documents released Monday say Balmer planned to beat the governor with a hammer if he found him, reports the AP. (The method calls to mind the hammer attack on the husband of Nancy Pelosi.)
  • Authorities say Balmer had "homemade incendiary devices" when he was found, but they have not specified an alleged motive.
  • Shapiro, his wife, their four kids and two dogs, and another family safely evacuated around 2am. Shapiro, who is Jewish, noted online that their family and others had gathered hours prior to celebrate Passover, Axios reports.

  • Authorities say Balmer hopped a fence, "forcibly entered" the residence, and set the fire while inside the house for just one minute. "He clearly had a plan," the Dauphin County district attorney says. "He was very methodical in his approach."
  • Balmer has a criminal history: In 2016 he pleaded guilty to forgery and theft by deception charges, and he was due in court for a plea hearing on a 2023 simple assault case days after the alleged arson took place.
  • Other lawmakers—on both sides of the aisle—were expressing disgust at the attack, which resulted in significant damage to the home, and relief that no one was hurt.
(This story was updated with new details from the court filings.)

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