NEWS ALERT: Shocking new details reveal a dangerous plot against an American governor after an armed suspect broke into the governor’s residence and set it on fire with homemade bombs.
Watch the video down below.
The suspect, who admitted to police he wanted to harm the governor, faces terrorism and attempted homicide charges following the brazen attack on the Democrat politician’s home.
The arson attack occurred overnight at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg.
It forced Governor Josh Shapiro and his family to evacuate after they had just celebrated the first night of Passover.
Authorities banged on the door to alert the governor about the fire, which caused significant damage to a portion of the residence but resulted in no injuries.
Law enforcement moved quickly to identify and arrest 38-year-old Cody Balmer for the attack.
According to court documents, Balmer harbored intense hatred toward Shapiro, which motivated his violent actions.
The suspect did not simply stumble upon the residence—he deliberately walked an hour to reach it, scaled a security fence, smashed windows with a hammer, and used homemade Molotov cocktails to start the blaze.
Surveillance footage captured Balmer surveilling the property before unlawfully entering the grounds.
When questioned by investigators after his arrest, he shockingly admitted responsibility for the attack and openly expressed his intent to harm the governor.
A woman who knew Balmer identified him to police, aiding in his capture after he initially evaded authorities.
A search of Balmer’s residence uncovered damning evidence, including a distinctive Snap-On jacket seen in surveillance footage and a gasoline container.
The suspect admitted to using gasoline from a lawnmower to manufacture the Molotov cocktails, fully aware of the potential harm his actions could cause to anyone inside the residence.
Balmer now faces serious charges, including arson and attempted homicide, with additional charges of terrorism possibly forthcoming as the investigation continues.
He is currently being held in Dauphin County Prison awaiting arraignment, with the FBI assisting local authorities in the ongoing investigation.
Shapiro, who gained national attention as a potential running mate for Kamala Harris last year, condemned the violence while acknowledging its increasing frequency in society.
“Last night, we experienced an attack, not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society…It is not OK,” Shapiro stated following the attack.
Despite the obvious security failure that allowed an armed suspect to breach the governor’s residence perimeter, little has been said about potential improvements to the security protocols at the mansion.
The incident raises serious questions about the adequacy of protection for elected officials at a time when political violence continues to escalate across the country.
Authorities have yet to release information about possible political motivations behind the attack or Balmer’s specific grievances with the governor.
The man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s state residence walked an hour to reach the property and told police that if he had encountered the governor during the attack, he would have “beaten him with a hammer.”
Police believe the 38-year-old… pic.twitter.com/5QFJ0ZmkSc
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) April 14, 2025
