The man who scaled a fence and hurled Molotov cocktails into the Pennsylvania governor's mansion earlier this year pleaded guilty to attempted murder, aggravated arson and terrorism on Oct. 14.
Cody Balmer, 38, turned himself in after authorities said he climbed over a perimeter fence, broke a window and threw a firebomb inside, then entered the residence and started more fires before fleeing. Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were inside the home in the early morning hours of April 13.
The Shapiro family and others were safely evacuated from the mansion, but the attack drew scrutiny on his security detail after Balmer was able to slip past while on security camera and with state troopers actively looking for an intruder.
The fire caused extensive damage to the first floor of the residence. Nobody was injured.
After the fire, Balmer told a 911 operator he targeted Shapiro because of his perceived stance on the Israel-Hamas war. He told the operator that Shapiro needs to know he "will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people," according to an affidavit.
