A suspected arsonist pleaded guilty in a Pennsylvania court on Tuesday after being accused of setting fire to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion in April as Shapiro and his family were asleep.
Cody Balmer, 36, appeared for the plea hearing at the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg wearing a dark red jumpsuit, handcuffs and ankle chains.
Balmer pleaded guilty to all charges, including attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism and other related offenses.
Balmer allegedly set the fire at around 2 a.m. on April 13 after Shapiro and his family celebrated the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Shapiro and his family were asleep at the time of the incident.
In a 911 Balmer allegedly made after setting the fire, he admits that he set fire to the residence because of what Shapiro “wants to do to the Palestinian people,” according to audio obtained by FOX29 Philadelphia.
Authorities said at the time of his arrest that “Balmer admitted to harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro.” Balmer also allegedly said he planned to attack Shapiro with his hammer if he were to find the governor in the mansion.
Shapiro addressed the arson attack shortly after it happened.
“This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society,” Shapiro said during a press briefing. “And I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another. It is not okay and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.”
This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.
