Cody Balmer: What we know about suspect in arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence
The man charged in the arson attack at the historic Pennsylvania Governor's Residence said he had hatred toward Gov.
The man charged in the arson attack at the historic Pennsylvania Governor's Residence said he had hatred toward Gov. Josh Shapiro and would have attacked him had they come face-to-face, authorities said Monday.
Cody A. Balmer, 38, is unemployed, has a few nonviolent criminal convictions, was charged with assault in 2023 and, on social media, has displayed simmering antigovernment statements and memes.
He has been charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism and other counts in connection with the attack early Sunday, the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
In court Monday for preliminary arraignment, county Judge Dale Klein asked Balmer, of Penbrook, Pennsylvania, whether he took any medication for mental illness. Balmer, who said he was not mentally ill, told the judge that he did not, adding that it “led me to different types of behavior" in the past.
Balmer also told Klein that he lived with his parents, that he was unemployed and that his last job was as a welder at a truck body manufacturer.
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