Watch: Surveillance video shows suspect setting Pennsylvania governor’s mansion on fire
The man accused of setting Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence on fire in April was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in state prison as part of a plea deal.
Cody Balmer, 38, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, aggravated arson, 22 counts of arson, burglary and other offenses at a court hearing on Tuesday.
While the official residence in the state capital of Harrisburg was severely damaged during the fire, people home at the time – including Shapiro, his wife, his four children, and guests and staff members – were able to escape unscathed.
Shapiro said his family was supportive of the plea agreement announced by prosecutors.
The attack against the governor and his family is part of a wave of political violence in the US, including attempted kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, two assassination attempts against President Donald Trump, the killings of two Minnesota state officials and the killing of commentator Charlie Kirk.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the Pennsylvania governor – standing alongside his wife – said his family has had to lean on their faith as they navigated a difficult recovery since the attack.
“We will forever be changed by this, we know that time will heal, but the scars will remain,” Shapiro said.
Balmer was accused of breaking into the govenor’s residence and setting it on fire on the second day of Passover. The governor, who is Jewish, had hosted a Passover celebration the night before.
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The gutted interior of the governor’s residence
Balmer had admitted to officials that he removed petrol from a lawn mower and poured it into beer bottles to make Molotov cocktails he used in the attack, Pennsylvania State Police said.
He turned himself in 13 hours after the break-in and admitted to “harbouring hatred toward Governor Shapiro”, officials said.
Balmer was asked in a police interview what he would have done if he had come face to face with Shapiro. He told police he would have beaten the governor with a hammer, according to an affidavit.
Shapiro has served as Pennsylvania’s governor since 2023, after working as the state’s attorney general.
The Democrat was among the top picks to be Kamala Harris’s running mate during the 2024 presidential election, but was ultimately passed over. He has frequently been mentioned as a possible future presidential candidate.
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