Man Accused of Firebombing Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion Was Out on Bail for Prior Assault

Cody Balmer sticks his tongue out as he’s escorted by police officers to Dauphin County District Court.

The Pennsylvania man accused of firebombing Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence was out on bail at the time of the alleged attack, and his mother says she had pleaded with authorities to detain him in the days leading up to the incident.

Some of the damage inside Shapiro’s mansion.

Cody Balmer, 38, appeared in a Harrisburg courtroom for arraignment on Monday, where he faced eight charges including terrorism, aggravated arson, criminal homicide, and prowling at night. Balmer, a former mechanic who reported being unemployed and living with his parents, had previously made bail after being charged in 2023 with simple assault. In that earlier case, he was accused of stomping on his 10-year-old son’s broken leg and assaulting his wife, according to a police report.

Balmer had a ragged beard and looked gaunt as he struggled to hold his belt-less pants up.

During Monday’s proceedings, Balmer displayed erratic behavior, sticking out his tongue and crossing his eyes as he was led into the courtroom in shackles. He appeared disheveled, with a ragged beard, sagging pants, and labored breathing while seated in the defendant’s chair. Judge Dale Klein ordered him held without bond. Balmer responded to the decision by saying, “Thank you, ma’am.”

Authorities allege that Balmer scaled the fence of the Governor’s Mansion in Harrisburg around 2 a.m. Sunday and threw multiple Molotov cocktails at the historic residence while Governor Shapiro, his wife, and two children were inside sleeping. The governor and his family were unharmed, but the incident caused extensive damage, estimated in the millions of dollars. The attack occurred just hours after the family had celebrated the first night of Passover.

Balmer sticks his tongue out again as he is escorted from the court after his arraignment.

In court, Balmer stated that he had no income and when asked about children, replied vaguely, “a lot,” but declined to provide further details. He acknowledged suffering from mental health issues and told the judge that his medication had contributed to “different types of behaviors.”

His mother, Christie Balmer, said that her son had stopped taking his medication prior to the attack. She claimed she had reached out to four different police departments in an attempt to get him detained, but none took action. She described him as “mentally ill” and said she had grown increasingly concerned for his behavior.

He had a ragged beard and looked gaunt as he struggled to hold his belt-less pants up.

According to a Harrisburg police report, Balmer turned himself in on Sunday afternoon and allegedly confessed to the attack. He told investigators that he had made the incendiary devices using Heineken beer bottles and gasoline from his lawn mower. He also allegedly stated that he was prepared to use a hammer on the governor if he had encountered him inside, and confirmed that he knew Shapiro’s family was likely present at the time.

Balmer is currently represented by a public defender and is scheduled to return to court on April 23. He had previously been expected in court on April 16 for a plea hearing related to the 2023 assault case, but it is unclear whether that hearing will proceed as scheduled.

Balmer is accused of breaking into Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home and setting a fire while the family slept