Who is Cody Balmer? All You Need to know About Him!

A major security incident unfolded over the weekend at the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg. Authorities have arrested 38-year-old Cody Balmer in connection with the fire that forced an overnight evacuation of the governor and his family.

Incident Overview

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Governor Shapiro and his family were awakened by Pennsylvania State Police after a fire broke out at the Governor’s Mansion. The governor, who had earlier hosted guests for the first night of Passover, confirmed the evacuation but did not disclose who else was present at the time apart from his immediate family. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

The suspect, later identified as Harrisburg resident Cody Balmer, initially evaded capture, prompting a large-scale manhunt led by the Pennsylvania State Police. By Sunday evening, Balmer was taken into custody, and officials shared further details about the case.

Charges and Investigation

State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris confirmed that Balmer faces multiple serious charges, including aggravated arson, attempted homicide, terrorism, and aggravated assault. Paris noted that Balmer had a “very methodic plan” and was in possession of homemade incendiary devices.

According to officials, Balmer gained entry to the property by scaling a fence, avoided detection by troopers stationed nearby, broke into the residence, and deliberately set the fire before escaping the same way he entered.

Governor Shapiro addressed the situation publicly, stating that the attack was a deliberate attempt to “terrorize our family, our friends, and the Jewish community.” However, at this stage, hate crime charges have not been filed.

Social Media & Public Reaction

Balmer’s social media history reportedly contains anti-Joe Biden content, though this has yet to be directly linked to his motives. An unverified image of the suspect circulated online, with an official booking photo expected to be released shortly.

Public figures across Pennsylvania expressed support for the Shapiro family. Philadelphia Council Member Jamie Gauthier condemned the violence, stating that “violence of any kind—especially that threatens lives and public institutions—has no place in our commonwealth.” Similarly, Bucks County Democrats thanked emergency responders and offered their support to the Governor and his family.

What’s Next?

Security around the Governor’s Mansion will undergo a comprehensive review. Governor Shapiro has confirmed that, despite the ordeal, his family plans to continue observing Passover. Federal charges could be introduced as early as Monday, pending further investigation.

Cody Balmer remains in custody as the case unfolds.

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