A Pennsylvania man who set fire to Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence while the governor and his family were inside pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted murder and multiple other charges. Cody Balmer, 38, admitted to scaling a fence, breaking into the mansion, and igniting the fire with beer bottles filled with gasoline. The April blaze caused millions in damage but no injuries.
Balmer pleaded guilty to terrorism, arson, aggravated assault, and 21 counts of reckless endangerment under a plea deal sentencing him to 25 to 50 years in prison. Investigators said Balmer planned to attack Shapiro with a sledgehammer had he encountered him.
Shapiro said the sentence represented “real accountability,” urging Americans not to grow “numb” to political violence. Balmer denied targeting Shapiro because of his Jewish faith, despite the attack occurring during Passover.
Balmer’s mother said she had sought mental health treatment for him before the incident. Repairs and security upgrades at the 1968 residence are ongoing.
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