By MARC LEVY, Related Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A person who authorities stated scaled an iron safety fence in the midst of the night time, eluded police and broke into the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion the place he set a fireplace had deliberate to beat Gov. Josh Shapiro with a hammer if he discovered him, in line with courtroom paperwork launched Monday.
The hearth left important harm and compelled Shapiro, his household and company to evacuate the constructing early Sunday. The person, arrested later within the day, faces fees together with tried murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault, authorities stated.
Throughout a police interview, authorities stated Cody Balmer instructed them after he was taken into custody that he would have crushed Shapiro with a hammer if he had discovered him, the paperwork say. Balmer had walked an hour from his house to the governor’s residence, and through the police interview, “Balmer admitted to harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro,” in line with a police affidavit.
Shapiro stated he, his spouse, their 4 kids, two canine and one other household had celebrated the Jewish vacation of Passover on the residence on Saturday and have been woke up by state troopers pounding on their doorways at about 2 a.m. Sunday. They fled and firefighters extinguished the fireplace, officers stated. Nobody was injured.
Authorities didn’t say whether or not Balmer has a lawyer or the place he was being held and calls to individuals believed to be family went unanswered or unreturned Sunday. One latest listed residence in Harrisburg was condemned in 2022.
Initially Revealed: April 14, 2025 at 7:39 AM EDT
