Arson Suspect Planned On Beating Josh Shapiro With Hammer: Police

The man suspected of setting the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion on fire over the weekend planned on attacking Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, according to police.

Police documents reveal that 38-year-old Cody Balmer admitted that he harbored “hatred towards” Shapiro and planned on beating him with a hammer if he encountered the governor as he allegedly threw two Molotov cocktails into Shapiro’s residence. Balmer has been charged with attempted homicide, aggravated arson, burglary, reckless endangerment, terrorism, and multiple counts of aggravated assault.

Shapiro and his family were inside the home during the attack, which did significant damage. They were awoken by Pennsylvania State Police around 2:00 a.m. on Sunday and were escorted out of the residence.

Balmer turned himself in to the police shortly after he called an “ex-paramour” to confess to her and ask her to alert law enforcement, according to a police affidavit. The same affidavit says that Balmer admitted to the attack and told police that he knew people could be harmed because of his actions.

“He advised on the date in question he removed gasoline from a lawn mower and poured it into Heineken Bottles he found at his residence,” the police affidavit says. “Balmer advised he walked for approximately one hour from his residence to the Governor’s Residence with the intention of throwing his homemade Molotov cocktails into the residence.” 

He reportedly told police that he climbed the perimeter fence of the governor’s mansion, broke two windows with a hammer, and then threw the Molotov cocktails into the home. 

“Balmer was asked specifically what he would have done if Governor Shapiro found him inside of his residence, to which he advised he would have beaten him with his hammer,” the affidavit says.

When police searched Balmer’s residence, they found clothing that matched the outfit worn by the individual seen on surveillance video and a small sledgehammer.

Balmer’s mother told CBS News that he was “mentally ill and he went off his medication” when the attack occurred.

Speaking on Sunday, Shapiro said that police knew that the attack was targeted but didn’t specifically know why.

“We don’t know the person’s specific motive yet, but we do know a few truths,” he said. “First, this type of violence is not okay. 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.”