BREAKING NEWS Firebombing 'terrorist's' disturbing act as he's arraigned for torching Dem PA Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence while he and his family slept
The man accused of firebombing the Governors Mansion while Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping inside in an act of terrorism pulled sick faces as he was marched into the courthouse.
The man accused of firebombing the Governors Mansion while Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping inside in an act of terrorism pulled sick faces as he was marched into the courthouse.
Cody Balmer has been charged with attempted homicide, aggravated arson and terrorism for the Saturday night attack on the Pennsylvania Governors home.
The 38-year-old Balmer repeatedly pulled faces at the cameras and reporters, sticking out his tongue and crossing his eyes to pose for photos.
The disturbing act came as Balmer shuffled into the courthouse on Monday with both his wrists and ankles cuffed, hours after he was reportedly taken to hospital suffering an undisclosed medical condition.
Balmer allegedly used two beer bottles filled with gasoline to make homemade Molotov cocktails to light fire to Shapiros Harrisburg mansion, the official property where Pennsylvania governors reside.
He then turned himself into Pennsylvania State Police, telling officers he was harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro and that he had removed the gasoline from a lawnmower.
And according to the police affidavit seen by DailyMail.com, Balmer told police he would have beaten him with a hammer if they had crossed paths.
Balmers former girlfriend and the mother to his two children initially called police to inform them that he had committed the crime. She alleged he wanted her to tell investigators.

The 38-year-old Balmer repeatedly pulled faces at the cameras and reporters, sticking out his tongue and crossing his eyes to pose for photos

Cody Balmer has been charged with attempted homicide, aggravated arson and terrorism for the Saturday night attack on the Pennsylvania Governors home

Extraordinary photos show the sheer extent of the damage to the Governors Mansion, which has housed Pennsylvanias leaders since the building was completed in 1968
The Jewish holiday of Passover started this weekend and Shapiro is Jewish, leaving some wondering if Balmer was expressing anti-Semitic views.
But Balmers social media profile was littered with political commentary and criticism about American institutions, without any direct reference to anti-Semitism.
The 38-year-old Harrisburg father had made chilling posts about former president Joe Biden and his supporters, arguing that they shouldnt exist and even suggesting Biden was going to be killed.
Biden supporters shouldnt exist, he wrote in one post dated January 2021.
RIP Joe Biden... whoops thats in May. #notmypresident, another read, while another added that knowing is half the battle... the other half is extreme violence.
Balmer had separately noted during Bidens presidential term that gas was cheaper under President Donald Trump. He insisted at the time he did not play favorites especially since they all suck.
Trump was asked about the suspects political leanings on Monday, and said he was likely just a whack job.
The attacker was not a fan of Trump, I understand, Trump told reporters. Just from what I read and what Ive been told.

While the toll of the attack could have been far worse, the shocking images show the charred remnants of the once-stunning rooms

The 38-year-old Harrisburg father had made chilling posts about former president Joe Biden and his supporters, arguing that they shouldnt exist and even suggesting Biden was going to be killed

Cody Balmer is escorted from court after his arraignment Monday

Governor Shapiros mansion was torched to a crisp

Balmer turned himself in and has been hit with a raft of charges relating to the incident
The attacker basically wasnt a fan of anybody, probably just a whack job, and certainly a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen.
Extraordinary photos show the sheer extent of the damage to Shapiros home.
Fire crews were dispatched to Democrat Shapiros home in Harrisburg around 2am Sunday, the towns Fire Chief Brian Enterline said.
Everyone inside the home was in a separate part of the residence when the flames broke out and were able to evacuate safely.
The shocking images show the charred remnants of the once-stunning rooms. The living areas and common spaces have been left blackened with ash and soot with whats left of the furniture scattered haphazardly around the rooms.
State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer clearly had a plan going into the late-night attack.
He was very methodical in his approach, and moved through it without a lot of hurry, Bivens said.
Shapiro, who shares four children with his wife Lori, shared a post to X about the startling incident.


Balmers social media profile also offers an insight into his state of mind. The 38-year-old Harrisburg father had made chilling posts about former president Joe Biden and his supporters, arguing that they shouldnt exist and even suggesting Biden was going to be killed

Shapiro, his wife Lori and their four children (pictured) were in the home at the time of the blaze
Last night at about 2AM, my family and I woke up to bangs on the door from the Pennsylvania State Police after an arsonist set fire to the Governors Residence in Harrisburg.
The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was on the scene and while they worked to put out the fire, we were evacuated from the Residence safely by Pennsylvania State Police and assisted by Capitol Police.
Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished. Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Last night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe.