Governor Josh Shapiro attacked—A 38-year-old Dauphin County man used a hammer to break windows of the governor’s mansion late Sunday night. He tossed objects through the windows, starting fires in two different areas inside the home as Shapiro and his wife, their four kids, and another family were asleep inside.
They all made it out safely, but the governor’s mansion is severely damaged.
The attacker turned himself into police immediately after setting the fires. When asked what he would have done if Shapiro had come downstairs and caught him, he said, “I would have beat him to death with my hammer.”
I’m grateful he didn’t wake up while the guy was still there. What if it was one of his teenagers?
This brings back memories of the time Paul Pelosi was attacked with a hammer. Remember the disgusting reactions from Republicans? They joked about the incident and mocked Paul Pelosi. (I’m not going to share any of their abhorrent X posts or memes. (Search “Don Jr Paul Pelosi” if you’re interested). Tucker Carlson and others spread conspiracy theories—after an elderly man had his skull fractured by a hammer! It was sick. If anyone on the Left were to attack someone on their side, I doubt they would find it amusing. I certainly wouldn’t!
Shapiro’s attack is personal for me because he’s my governor. He and his family were lucky to make it out alive. Political violence has become far too common in this country and there’s only one leader/party to blame. Far-right extremist groups like the Proud Boys, Oathkeepers and other militias, Neo-Nazism, White Supremacy, and Q’Anon have grown exponentially since Donald Trump told the Proud Boys to “Stand back and stand by” during the Presidential debate.
Trump loves to use stochastic terrorism to go after perceived enemies—anyone he attacks on social media will quickly start receiving death threats, their home will be “swatted,” women receive rape threats, and then there are the crazy guys going to politicians’ homes with hammers.
Here is reporting on the attack and what law enforcement officials have learned after speaking to Cody Balmer, the arsonist. What’s depressing about this is theTrump DOJ is in charge? Does anyone believe Pam Bondi will file terrorism charges for an attack on a Democratic official by a Neo-Nazi? I hope she proves me wrong. Here’s more from The Pennsylvania Capital Star, with reporting by Peter Hall and Ian Karbal:
Governor Josh Shapiro Attacked
A Harrisburg man charged with what police said was a “targeted attack” on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence admitted hatred toward Shapiro and planned to beat him with a hammer if he encountered Shapiro inside the home.
Police on Sunday arrested 38-year-old Cody Balmer in connection with the firebombing that heavily damaged the Pennsylvania governor’s residence early Sunday morning as Shapiro and his family slept inside. The Dauphin County district attorney’s office filed charges early Monday morning against Balmer of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, aggravated assault, burglary and related offenses.
A criminal complaint filed in district court in Harrisburg says Balmer’s ex-girlfriend called state police to say he was responsible for the fire and that Balmer had asked her to turn him in. A short time later, Balmer approached a member of the state police outside the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters to surrender. In an interview with police, Balmer admitted feeling hatred toward Shapiro and that he used Molotov cocktails made from empty beer bottles to start the blaze, according to the complaint.
He also told investigators he was aware that it was a possibility that Shapiro was in the residence when he set the fire and people could be injured because of his actions. The complaint doesn’t elaborate on the reason for Balmer’s hatred for Shapiro. Public records show a Harrisburg property Balmer owned was recently subject to foreclosure proceedings and Balmer faced simple assault charges that were pending in Dauphin County court.
“He clearly had a plan. He was very methodical in his approach, and moved through it without a lot of hurry,” State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said. “When I said that he was in the residence, he was inside for less than a minute. It all happened very quickly and he was back out.”
State police said Monday morning Balmer had suffered a medical event unrelated to the fire or his arrest and was transferred to a Harrisburg-area hospital. His arraignment on the charges was postponed, a court spokesperson said.
Shapiro announced on social media early Sunday that he and his family had been awakened around 2 a.m. by a member of his security detail and directed to evacuate the residence.
In a news conference outside the residence Sunday afternoon, Shapiro appeared briefly overcome with emotion as he spoke about the experience and thanked state police, Harrisburg firefighters and other first responders. The smell of fire lingered in the air around the home, which overlooks the Susquehanna River on Front Street in downtown Harrisburg.
“Lori and I are overwhelmed by the prayers and the messages of support that we’ve received from all across Pennsylvania and all across the United States,” he said. “I want you all to know that your prayers lift us up, and in this moment of darkness, we are choosing to see light. We appreciate the light that you have shined upon us.”
His tone turned to anger as he addressed what he described as a targeted attack on himself and his family.
“We don’t know the person’s specific motive yet, but we do know a few truths. First, this type of violence is not okay,” Shapiro said. “This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society, 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.”
“Second, if this individual was trying to deter me from doing my job as your governor, rest assured, I will find a way to work even harder than I was just yesterday for the good people of Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said.
He also addressed the possibility that the attack was motivated by his Jewish faith. The fire happened after Shapiro celebrated the first night of Passover at the residence and Shapiro was set to host Seder again Sunday night, he said. Tables with gold and white tablecloths set for the meal could be seen through broken windows in the home.
“No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly,” Shapiro said.
‘Large and complex crime scene’
The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was instrumental in preventing loss of life, Pennsylvania State Police Col. Chris Paris said, noting that the fire is under investigation by a major case team from the state police, Harrisburg police, Capitol police and the FBI. Paris said he has received offers of assistance from federal law enforcement officials including U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Investigators are still working to piece together the sequence of events around the fire, but it is being treated as an arson case. While Balmer is expected to be charged with aggravated arson, attempted murder and terrorism, Paris said he does not anticipate conspiracy charges, which indicates investigators believe he acted alone.
“I feel very confident in telling you that it occurred over an extremely brief period of time, several minutes, and the quick action of those troopers last night immediately shifted to the safety of the governor and his family and his extended family,” Paris said. Shapiro later declined to say which family members were staying at the governor’s residence Saturday night.
Outside the governor’s residence, a section of the perimeter fence had been temporarily repaired with a panel of chainlink fencing. Paris said the breach is where Balmer is suspected to have entered the grounds.
State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer evaded state police who detected the breach and were searching for him.
“While they were searching, he attacked the residence – broke in and set the fires. So that was all playing out over a period of several minutes,” Bivens said, adding that Balmerused homemade incendiary devices, but declined to elaborate. A review of security measures at the residence is underway, he said
“We look at all aspects, personnel, technical, surveillance equipment, security equipment, all of that will be reviewed, and we will do our best to ensure that the governor and his family are safe in this residence,” Bivens said.
According to the court document filed Monday morning, security video showed Balmer gained entry to the residence grounds by climbing over the fence. He was wearing a black Snap-on Tools jacket, black boots and was carrying a bag, which were later recovered at Balmer’s home along with a small sledgehammer.
Balmer approached the residence and broke an exterior window to the piano room, through which he threw a Molotov cocktail. He then entered the home by breaking a second window and used another firebomb to set the dining room alight. Before he left through the dining room exit, video footage showed he was wearing two different colored gloves — one orange and one yellow — that were later found in a trash can along Balmer’s escape route.
A Facebook account that matched Balmer’s name and personal details showed he had worked as an auto mechanic and included postings expressing dissatisfaction with government generally, President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden. Public records show Balmer last voted in 2022 and had no party affiliation.
The Facebook account, which has since been removed, also included a meme of a needlepoint hoop depicting a Molotov cocktail and the words, “Be the light you want to see in the world.”
Bivens said the investigation is ongoing. A decision will be made whether additional federal charges are warranted, Bivens said.
