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WATCH: Suspect pleads guilty in arson attack against Pennsylvania's Shapiro
DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) - Surveillance video at the Pennsylvania governor's residence captured the moments a suspect broke a window and threw Molotov cocktails in while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside.
Cody Balmer, 38, pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated arson and burglary and is expected to serve a prison term of 25 to 50 years, according to the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office.
Balmer will not be eligible for parole until April 13, 2050, when he is 63 years old. If he receives parole, he would remain under supervision until he is 88, the office said.
On April 13, 2025, Balmer allegedly climbed the fence of the governor's residence in Harrisburg, carrying a bag that contained Molotov cocktails and a sledgehammer. Newly released video shows the moments Balmer apparently started the fire and broke into the residence.
Video courtesy of Dauphin County District Attorney Fran ChardoBalmer allegedly broke a glass window and threw in the flaming Molotov cocktails, starting a fire inside the residence.
Gov. Shapiro, his family, and 15 overnight guests were inside the residence at the time of the attack. Balmer struck two doors while inside the residence, including a door leading to where his family and guests slept, according to the DA's Office.
While inside, Balmer threw a second Molotov cocktail before fleeing, the DA said.
The DA's Office said Balmer surrendered at the State Police headquarters the same day of the attack, citing military actions of the state of Israel in Gaza as a motivation. According to the DA's Office, Balmer said he would have struck Gov. Shapiro with the sledgehammer if he had found him inside.
Hammer used to enter the Governor's Residence. (Courtesy of the Dauphin County DA's Office)The fire caused damage that cost more than $6 million in public funds and led to a security review of the residence.
Officials said shortly after Balmer allegedly threw Molotov cocktails into the residence, he made a 911 call to take credit for the attack.
“Well, I don’t really have an emergency. I would like to apologize. Um, Governor Josh Shapiro needs to know that Cody Balmer will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people. He needs to leave my family alone. He needs to get his eyes off of my daughters, and he needs to stop having my friends killed like he killed, had many killed two weeks ago or last week on........
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