Cody Balmer, the Pennsylvania man accused of firebombing the residence of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro earlier this year, pleaded guilty to all counts he faced on Tuesday, including attempted homicide, aggravated arson, and terrorism.
Balmer, a 38-year-old man from Penbrook, pleaded guilty to all charges during his first appearance in state court related to the April 13 predawn fire bombing that scorched the inside of the governor’s mansion during Passover, according to a local NBC affiliate. He faces a minimum of 25 years in prison to a maximum of 50 years in prison.
According to police, Balmer allegedly jumped a fence at the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg and lobbed two Molotov cocktails he created using beer bottles and gasoline.
Although Shapiro’s family was home, nobody was hurt in the incident. Shapiro, who is Jewish, was celebrating with more than two dozen people for the first night of the holiday.
After setting the mansion ablaze, Balmer called 911 and self-reported his crime, allegedly telling the dispatcher that Shapiro “needs to know that [Balmer] ‘will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.'”
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Additionally, Balmer allegedly told police he would have hit the governor with a hammer if he found him inside the residence, according to prosecutors.
Balmer’s criminal history stretches back at least a decade. He had previously faced criminal charges, including assault and forgery. In 2016, he pleaded guilty to forging a paycheck and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation in Dauphin County.
