Suspect in arson attack at Pennsylvania governor’s mansion pleads guilty

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.

PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR’S MANSION ATTACK SUSPECT CODY BALMER ADMITTED ‘HARBORING HARED’ TOWARD SHAPIRO: POLICE

Cody Balmer, accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence, seen at Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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.

Fire damage inside the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion is shown, after an apparent arson attack in the early morning on Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Commonwealth Media Services)

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.

SUSPECT’S 911 CALL RELEASED AFTER ARSON AT PA GOVERNOR’S MANSION THAT APPEARED TO BE FUELED BY WAR IN GAZA

Cody Balmer, accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence arrives at Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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.”

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This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.