Courtesy of JNS. Photo credit: Commonwealth Media Services/Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Cody A. Balmer is suspected of setting fire to the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, Pa., on April 13, 2025
(JNS) — Cody A. Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, Pa., was denied bail on Monday, after turning himself in to Pennsylvania state police officers and being charged with terrorism, criminal homicide, aggravated arson, burglary and recklessly endangering lives, among other charges.
According to state police, Balmer broke into the governor’s mansion about 2 a.m. on Sunday and threw several Molotov cocktails of gasoline in Heineken bottles, causing “significant damage.”
Fire fighters evacuated Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and his family, who are Jewish and who, per the governor’s office, were asleep at the time and were not injured. Balmer’s alleged attack aimed to “affect the conduct of a government,” per the complaint.
JNS sought comment from state police about whether the attack is being investigated as a hate crime. “All avenues are being explored,” Myles Snyder, communications director of the Pennsylvania State Police, told JNS.
The governor and his wife Lori Shapiro and “additional guests and staff members” were in the residence at the time, per the complaint. The governor and his wife, who are Jewish, have four children.
Images that the commonwealth released showed Passover-related items among the destroyed sections of the mansion.
The New York Post reported that Balmer was out on bail at the time and that his mother had asked authorities to lock him up prior to the attack. The Post added that the governor celebrated Passover the prior night and that damages to the mansion were estimated to be in the millions.
Balmer reportedly told police that he would have attacked the governor with a hammer, if he found him.
Many governors, members of Congress and other officials commented on the attack. Some suggested that Shapiro’s faith was a factor.
Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) wrote in the Free Press that when he spoke with Shapiro on Saturday afternoon, “he ended the call by noting that he needed to go prepare for an 80-person seder which he was leading.”
“Less than 12 hours later, he and his family were evacuated from the governor’s residence, because an arsonist had set it on fire,” McCormick wrote. “The timing of this crime in the very place where the Shapiros were observing Passover should leave us all deeply troubled.”
“Thankful my friend Josh Shapiro and his family are safe after the attack on his home,” wrote Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who is Jewish.
“This barbarous, premeditated act to attack a Jewish family on Passover is unconscionable. Political violence is never acceptable, but this cuts especially deep in the Jewish community,” she said.
“I’m relieved that Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family are safe after an arson attack at the governor’s residence on the first night of Passover,” wrote Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), who is Jewish.
“At a time when antisemitism is at record levels, the perpetrator must be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Gottheimer added.
“Very happy the governor and his family are okay. Of course, it was on the first night of Passover,” wrote Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), who is Jewish.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz (D), the former Democratic nominee for vice president wrote that it is “despicable for this to happen as the Jewish community is celebrating Passover. Political violence has no place in our country.”
“A Jewish governor’s residence was set on fire during Passover in the United States of America in the year 2025. Let that sink in,” wrote Mark Treyger, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.
“This is the same governor who was relentlessly subjected to disgusting and disgraceful slander by extremists, such as labeling him ‘genocide Josh,’” Treyger said.
The local Anti-Defamation League office called the attack “deeply disturbing” but didn’t suggest it was religiously motivated.
JD Vance, the U.S. vice president, wrote “thanks be to God that Governor Shapiro and his family were unharmed in this attack. Really disgusting violence, and I hope whoever did it is brought swiftly to justice.”
Democratic Majority for Israel stated that it is “appalled by the arson attack on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence in Pennsylvania.”
“This senseless act, occurring on the first night of Passover — a time traditionally reserved for reflection, family and spiritual renewal — is particularly egregious,” DMFI stated. “Such acts not only threaten the safety of individuals but also aim to disrupt and instill fear.”
