The man accused of setting fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion was reportedly out on bail when the crime occurred.
A report on Fox News stated Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was out on bail for a simple assault charge he allegedly committed in 2023. That charge was the result a domestic dispute.
Now, Balmer is facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary and terrorism after allegedly setting fire to the mansion where Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) lives with his family.
Balmer was arraigned on Monday and stuck his tongue out at reporters.
He told Judge Dale Klein he was a former welder who is unemployed. He also told Klein he did not have any savings or income.
Bail was denied bail since it was deemed his behavior was a danger to the community.
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) said Balmer was “currently receiving treatment” at a hospital. This was for a “medical event not connected to this incident or his arrest.”
The incident occurred at about 2 a.m. Sunday when that Balmer hopped fences and brought “homemade incendiary devices” to the governor’s mansion, PSP Lt. Col. George Bivens said.
“He actively evaded troopers who were here to secure the residence,” Bivens said, per Fox News. “While [police] were searching is when he attacked at the residence, [and] broke in and set the fires…it was a very quick event that occurred.”
Shapiro’s family had just celebrated the first night of Passover hours before.
The Democratic governor, who was in contention to be on the 2024 presidential ticket as vice president, spoke of the incident Sunday.
“This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society,” Shapiro said. “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.”
Balmer told investigators he was “harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro,” per Fox News.
There was significant damage to part of the mansion, Fox News reported.
