Today, Cody A. Balmer pleaded guilty to attempted murder of Governor Josh Shapiro, aggravated arson, 22 counts of arson, one for each of the 22 victims within the residence endangered by the arson, burglary, and related offenses. Judge Deborah E. Curcillo accepted a plea agreement offered by District Attorney Fran Chardo. After the defendant's guilty plea to all counts, he received the agreed upon sentence of not less than 25 years or more than 50 years of imprisonment in a state correctional institution. Balmer will not be eligible for parole until April 13, 2050. His maximum sentence of imprisonment is 50 years. Balmer was 38 years old at the time of the criminal conduct. He will be first eligible for parole at the age of 63. If he receives parole, he would remain under supervision, through April 13, 2075, at the age of 88. The factual basis for the guilty plea is below.

In the early morning hours of April 13, 2025, the defendant Cody A. Balmer travelled to the Governor’s Residence at 2035 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, for the specific purpose of attack. He hid in a position of surveillance south of the Residence outside the fenced area for a lengthy period. Making use of what he learned during his surveillance, Balmer secretly climbed the high fence on the north side of the property. Within a bag, he carried two Molotov cocktails, handheld incendiary weapons with gasoline within, as well as a sledgehammer with approximately a one-foot handle.

After a calculated delay, Balmer directly approached the south side of the Governor’s Mansion. He went to a glass window and broke it open using the sledgehammer. He then threw a flaming Molotov cocktail into the Residence, starting a fire within. Balmer immediately moved past a locked double door to the east of that window to the next window. Balmer again used the sledgehammer, striking the window multiple times until it broke upon widely enough for him to enter the Governor’s residence. (See Video Exhibits “A” and “B”). The time that lapsed from his strike upon the first window to set a fire there until he entered the second window after breaking it was approximately 34 seconds.

After he entered the residence, Balmer moved deeper into the residence holding the second Molotov cocktail to start a fire deep within. He struck at two doors, including a door leading to where the Governor’s family and guests slept, but could not break through. (See Video Exhibit “C”). Before fleeing he deployed the second Molotov cocktail in the dining area igniting a second fire in the interior of the Residence. He then fled on foot through an exit door. (See Video Exhibit “D”)

At the time Balmer set the fires within the Governor’s Residence, Governor Shapiro, the First Lady, three of their children, fifteen overnight guests, including other members of the Governor’s family, and two Pennsylvania State Police Troopers were all inside the Governor’s Residence. The set fires substantially endangered these twenty-two individuals who are named in Counts 4 through 25. Eight of those endangered individuals were children ranging in age from 8 years old to 16 years old.

The defendant subsequently surrendered at Pennsylvania State Police Departmental Headquarters that same day. He submitted to a voluntary interview with police after waiving his right to silence and to have counsel present. Balmer confessed to the above actions. He indicated that he targeted the Governor’s Residence, and specifically Governor Shapiro. For reasons, Balmer cited the military actions of the State of Israel in Gaza. He said that, if he came upon the Governor, he would have struck him with the hammer. This would be deadly force and supports intent and act necessary to prove attempted murder.

Video of the burglary showed the perpetrator wearing a distinctive jacket, specifically it had the Snap-on Logo, a shoulder logo reading “ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTOMOBILE TECHNICIAN”, and an American flag. The Pennsylvania State Police recovered this jacket at 2741 Boas Street, Penbrook, where the defendant was residing, on the afternoon of April 13, 2025. (See Exhibit “E”). The PSP also located the handheld sledgehammer that the defendant used to force entry into the Governor’s Residence through the windows.  (See Exhibit “F”). The defendant’s action caused substantial damage to the Governor’s Residence.

The defendant admitted to the above facts during the guilty plea colloquy. Prior to entering into the plea agreement, District Attorney Chardo consulted with the victims. Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro submitted a victim impact statement on behalf of the victims affected by the brutal act of arson which greatly endangered 22 people including children. The sentence included consecutive sentences allowing for a substantial period of imprisonment to protect the public safety. The defendant will not be released in 2050 from the sentence of 50 years of imprisonment unless parole is warranted.