US Man pleads guilty to attempted murder in firebombing of Governor Shapiro's Home

Cody Balmer, 38, pleaded guilty to attempted murder for firebombing the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in the U.S. Under a plea agreement, he now faces 25 to 50 years in prison.

In a chilling revelation, Balmer admitted to harboring “hatred” toward Shapiro and threw a Molotov cocktail at the governor’s residence during the Passover holiday in April. He further stated that had he encountered Shapiro, he would have “beaten him with his hammer.”

As part of his plea, Balmer accepted responsibility for multiple charges, including aggravated arson and 22 counts of arson, reflecting the number of victims endangered in the residence.

Fortunately, no one was injured; however, parts of the Georgian-style mansion in Harrisburg sustained significant damage.

At the time of the incident, Shapiro, viewed as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, was inside with his family. They were promptly evacuated after a police trooper alerted them to the fire.

Moreover, surveillance footage captured Balmer climbing a fence, breaking windows, and igniting a gasoline-filled bottle before fleeing the scene. Ultimately, he later turned himself in at state police headquarters, confessing to the attack.