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Pennsylvania State Police: Man arrested in ‘act of arson’ at governor’s residence

A 38-year-old male, of Harrisburg, faces charges of attempted homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson, aggravated assault, burglary and related offenses after he allegedly threw homemade incendiary devices into the governor’s residence in Harrisburg in the early morning of April 13.

According to an affidavit of probable cause and supporting documents released to the press, Cody A. Balmer turned himself in at Pennsylvania State Police Department headquarters, Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg.

Charges against Balmer include alleged criminal attempt — criminal homicide, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, aggravated assault, all felonies; recklessly endangering another person and loitering and prowling at night, both misdemeanors.

Balmer is accused in a firebomb attack at the governor’s residence, 2035 N. Front St., at approximately 2 a.m. April 13.

In the affidavit of probable cause, authorities detailed the incident as follows.

Balmer allegedly climbed an exterior perimeter fence at the residence, broke an exterior window on the south side of the building and threw a bottle filled with gasoline and on fire through the broken window into the building.

He then allegedly broke a second nearby window and entered the residence.

Balmer allegedly next threw a flaming bottle into a dining room, “resulting in additional areas of the residence catching on fire,” according to the affidavit.

Balmer allegedly kicked the dining room door open and left the residence.

Surveillance footage tracked Balmer again allegedly climbing the fence and running through a parking lot.

In a press release dated April 13, authorities described the fire as causing “a significant amount of damage to a portion of the residence.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro and his wife, Lori, and family were home but in a different part of the residence at the time. They were evacuated safely and were not injured.

In a statement released on social media noted as from the Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania, Shapiro wrote, “Every day we stand with law enforcement and first responders who run toward 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.”

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Balmer “did intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or negligently attempt to cause the death of another human being by criminal homicide,” placing “the governor and/or his family and anyone else in the residence at risk of death.”

Investigators found clothing allegedly worn by Balmer as well as a small sledgehammer at Balmer’s residence. The items “were identical to those observed in the surveillance” footage at the governor’s residence and from privately owned security cameras at nearby structures, according to authorities.

Balmer was transported to Dauphin County Prison for arraignment, according to court documents.