The man accused of torching the Pennsylvania executive mansion said he carried out the arson attack because he was frustrated by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s stance on the war in Gaza, according to newly released search warrants.
The suspect, Cody Balmer, called 911 in the early hours of Sunday morning, less than an hour after he allegedly firebombed Shapiro’s official residence in Harrisburg. He identified himself by name, and then he told dispatchers that Shapiro “needs to know that he will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people,” per documents obtained by PennLive.
Balmer continued, saying that governor, who is Jewish, “needs to stop having my friends killed,” further noting that “our people have been put through too much by that monster.”
“You all know where to find me,” he allegedly said before hanging up. “I’m not hiding, and I will confess to everything that I had done.”
Investigators also noted that Balmer’s “intonation and cadence” sounded like he was “possibly reading from a script” during the emergency call.
The alleged arson attack came hours after Shapiro hosted a Seder dinner on Saturday and bid his social media followers a “happy Passover.” The blaze was reported on Sunday around 2 a.m., and everyone inside was safely evacuated.
Balmer, who had been treated for mental illness in the past, turned himself later the same day, and he was charged with attempted homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson, aggravated assault and other offenses. In a subsequent interview with investigators, he allegedly admitted to “harboring hatred” toward the Pennsylvania governor and said he would have beaten him with a hammer if they crossed paths.
Authorities, in turn, obtained several warrants relating to the fiery attack, including for Balmer’s storage unit, electronic devices and parents’ home, where he’d recently been living.
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday condemned the attack in Pennsylvania, calling it “absolutely horrific.” She stopped short, however, of labeling it domestic terrorism, as she has for the wave of attacks carried out on Teslas and dealerships nationwide.
“I’ve known the governor many, many years,” she said. “It is horrible, and yes, we are working with state authorities to do — it’s now a pending investigation — anything we can to help convict the person that did this and keep them behind bars as long as possible.”
While authorities have not commented on a potential motive, the search warrants suggest the suspect’s exchange with dispatchers and police “demonstrates Balmer’s political motivation for his conduct.”
With News Wire Services
