Man who set fire to Pennsylvania governor’s mansion sentenced

October 14, 2025

In April 2024, Cody Balmer was sentenced to 25-50 years in state prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder, aggravated arson, and other charges for setting fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's residence. Though the official residence was severely damaged, Governor Shapiro, his family, staff, and guests escaped unharmed from the attack, which occurred on the second day of Passover. Balmer, who admitted to harboring hatred toward the Jewish governor and making Molotov cocktails from lawnmower fuel, turned himself in 13 hours after the break-in and confessed he would have assaulted Shapiro with a hammer had they encountered each other.

Who is affected

Governor Josh Shapiro and his family (wife and four children)
Staff members and guests at the governor's residence
Pennsylvania state officials and security personnel
Residents of Pennsylvania concerned about political violence

What action is being taken

Cody Balmer is being sentenced to 25-50 years in state prison as part of a plea deal
The Shapiro family is going through a difficult recovery process following the attack
Authorities are processing this case within the context of a broader wave of political violence

Why it matters

The attack represents part of a concerning pattern of political violence in the US
The incident specifically targeted a high-profile Jewish politician during a religious holiday
The attack caused severe damage to the official Pennsylvania governor's residence
The case highlights security vulnerabilities for elected officials and their families
The sentence demonstrates consequences for politically motivated violence

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC