PennLive reported, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence was attacked by arson that was motivated by the suspect’s perceptions of Shapiro’s position on Palestinians.
According to a warrant issued by the Pennsylvania State Police for the electronic devices of suspect Cody Balmer, obtained by the outlet’s source, Balmer was targeting the governor because of “perceived injustices against the Palestinian people” as well as Shapiro’s Jewish faith. The warrant does not specify why Shapiro’s Jewish faith is believed to be a motivation.
Balmer, after the attack on Sunday morning, called 911 and identified himself. He told the operator, “Shapiro should know that he would not be taking part in the plans he has for the Palestinians.”
According to the warrant, Balmer continued, saying Shapiro needed to “stop having my friends killed” and “… our people have been put through too much by that monster.”
According to the search warrant, Balmer’s cadence sounded as if he was reading from a script.
The warrant states that Balmer called 911 and said, “You know exactly where I am.” “I will not hide and I’ll confess to all that I did.”
Balmer called 911 less than one hour after firebombing the Harrisburg governor’s residence.
Balmer’s former girlfriend told police on Sunday morning that he had called her and claimed to be responsible for the arson. Balmer turned himself in at the Harrisburg state police headquarters later on Sunday.
Police also obtained search warrants at Balmer’s home and his parents’ house, where he lived, as well as a storage facility.
Balmer, armed with a Molotov cocktail and a hammer, allegedly scaled the fence around the Governor’s Residence and set it on fire hours after Shapiro had hosted a Passover Seder Dinner to celebrate the first evening of the Jewish holiday. The attack was successful in evacuating everyone without incident. However, the property suffered severe damage.
Shapiro condemned the violence in the aftermath of the attack by Hamas and other terror organizations on Israel, Oct. 7, 2023. He also expressed his support for the Jewish State.
He supported the removal of a pro-Palestinian encampment from the University of Pennsylvania last year, during the wave of anti-Israel unrest on campus nationwide.
PennLive reports that Dauphin County district attorney Fran Chardo is still deciding whether to charge Balmer with a hate crime under Pennsylvania’s hate crimes statute. However, he said he would push for a more severe sentence if Balmer were convicted based on the motives of his conviction.
Balmer is reportedly facing up to 100 years behind bars for eight crimes, including attempted murder, arson, terrorism, and aggravated arson.