In a significant legal development, Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old arsonist, has been sentenced to 25 to 50 years in state prison for setting fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in April. The sentencing was part of a plea deal, with Balmer pleading guilty to charges including attempted murder, aggravated arson, 22 counts of arson, burglary, and other offenses during a court hearing on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred during Passover, severely damaged the official residence in Harrisburg, though all occupants, including Governor Shapiro, his family, and staff, escaped unharmed. Governor Shapiro expressed his family’s support for the plea agreement, emphasizing their reliance on faith during the recovery process. The attack is part of a broader trend of political violence in the U.S., including high-profile cases involving Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, former President Donald Trump, and others. Balmer admitted to using Molotov cocktails in the attack and harboring intense animosity toward Shapiro, even stating he would have assaulted the governor with a hammer if given the chance. Shapiro, a Democrat and former state attorney general, has been a prominent political figure, often mentioned as a potential future presidential candidate.
Man who set fire to Pennsylvania governor’s mansion sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison
