In a harrowing incident that left Americans questioning the country’s leaders’ security, a 38-year-old man planned to kill a governor with homemade Molotov cocktails.
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A Pennsylvania man admitted he planned to attack Governor Josh Shapiro’s (D-PA) residence and wanted to beat the Democrat governor with a hammer.
Cody Balmer faces terrorism and attempted murder charges after the violent attack forced Shapiro and his family to flee their home following Passover celebrations.
Court documents revealed the chilling details of Balmer’s planned assault.
After scaling a 7-foot security fence in the early morning hours, Balmer broke windows with a hammer and threw gasoline-filled beer bottles into the governor’s residence, starting a fire while the family slept inside.
The fire caused significant damage to a room used for entertaining and displaying artwork.
When questioned by authorities, Balmer openly admitted his intentions were violent and personal.
According to the criminal complaint, he “admitted to harboring hatred towards” Governor Shapiro and told police he “would have beaten” the Pennsylvania governor “with his hammer” if he had encountered him inside.
Balmer’s anti-government views were apparent on his social media accounts, which included criticism of former President Joe Biden.
A former mechanic with a criminal history including charges of simple assault, theft, and forgery, Balmer appears to have planned the attack using gasoline from his lawnmower to create the incendiary devices.
During a press conference, 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 OK and it has to stop. We have to be better than this and we have a responsibility to all be better.”
The suspect’s capture came after his ex-girlfriend contacted police, reporting that Balmer had asked her to “call police to turn him in.”
Investigators later found damning evidence, including gasoline-soaked gloves and remnants of the homemade firebombs.
Balmer eventually surrendered at State Police headquarters and was taken to Dauphin County Prison after arraignment.
Vice President JD Vance and Attorney General Pam Bondi both condemned the attack, expressing relief that the governor and his family escaped unharmed.
In addition, the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded quickly to extinguish the flames, potentially preventing more catastrophic damage.
Despite the frightening ordeal, Shapiro remained defiant. The Jewish governor, who had just finished Passover celebrations, drew parallels between the attack and themes from the holiday’s story.
“When we were in the state dining room last night, we told the story of Passover and the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt to freedom,” Shapito stated.
He added, “I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us as they did here last night. I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love.”
Balmer now faces serious charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated assault, and aggravated arson.
He was hospitalized for a medical event unrelated to the incident or his arrest while authorities continue investigating his specific motives for targeting the governor’s residence.
