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Oct 14, 2025  |  
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ABC News


The man who firebombed the official residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro pleaded guilty on Tuesday and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison, prosecutors said.

Cody Balmer pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated arson, arson and the attempted murder of Shapiro, the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office said.

Booking photo of arson suspect, Cody Balmer.
Dauphin County District Attorney

Balmer allegedly hopped a fence at the governor's mansion in Harrisburg, broke windows and hurled Molotov cocktails inside he made from beer bottles and gasoline, police said.

The attack occurred in the middle of the night, hours after the Shapiro family hosted more than two dozen people for the first night of Passover. The family was home at the time, but no one was hurt.

This image provided by Commonwealth Media Services shows damage after a fire at the Pennsylvania governor's mansion while Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside, April 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa.
Commonwealth Media Services via AP
This image provided by Commonwealth Media Services shows damage after a fire at the Pennsylvania governor's mansion while Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside, April 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa.
Commonwealth Media Services via AP

Balmer called 911, identified himself and confessed, allegedly telling the dispatcher that Shapiro "needs to know that he 'will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.'"

Balmer allegedly told police he would have attacked Shapiro with a hammer if he happened upon the governor inside the residence, according to court documents.

Cody Balmer, accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's official residence, arrives at Dauphin County Courthouse on Oct. 14, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa.
Matt Slocum/AP
This image provided by Commonwealth Media Services shows damage after a fire at the Pennsylvania governor's mansion while Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside, April 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa.
Commonwealth Media Services via AP

Balmer was a mechanic who may have been experiencing financial and mental health problems, sources previously told ABC News.

Balmer, who was arrested at 38 years old, will first be eligible for parole when he is 63, prosecutors said.