Man pleads guilty in arson attack at Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion while family slept | World News - The Indian Express skip to contentAdvertisementProsecutors said Balmer entered through the southern wing of the mansion an area used for hosting events and set multiple fires using petrol bombs.By: Express Web Desk October 14, 2025 10:52 PM IST First published on: Oct 14, 2025 at 10:52 PM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookCody Balmer, accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's official residence, leaves Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo)A Pennsylvania man has pleaded guilty to attempting to kill Governor Josh Shapiro and setting fire to the governor’s mansion while the governor and his family were inside, the Associated Press (AP) reported.What happened?Cody Balmer, 38, admitted to scaling the security fence at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion in Harrisburg in the early hours of 13 April and throwing beer bottles filled with petrol to start fires inside the residence.Cody Balmer, accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence, arrives at Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo)The attack caused millions of dollars in damage to the state-owned building, prosecutors said.Balmer pleaded guilty to attempted murder, terrorism, 22 counts of arson, aggravated assault, and other charges. He was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison under a plea agreement.When and how did the attack unfold?Prosecutors said Balmer entered through the southern wing of the mansion an area used for hosting events and set multiple fires using petrol bombs.Video footage played in court showed explosions inside and outside the building. Judge Deborah Curcillo described the video as “horrific” and “very frightening.”Fifteen overnight guests, including children, and two state troopers were inside at the time.Who was affected?Governor Shapiro, his wife Lori, their children, and guests were asleep when the attack began. They were awakened and evacuated safely, and no one was injured.In a statement read in court, Shapiro and his wife said the incident left them feeling vulnerable and anxious.“It’s a fear and anxiety we are learning to live with,” they wrote, adding that the experience had caused stress for their children.Why did he do it?Authorities said Balmer told investigators he acted out of concern for the war in Gaza, claiming he feared “many millions dying.”“Even if I just have to take a life, I’m not crazy about having to take a life, but I will if it’s because of the millions endangered,” he told investigators, according to District Attorney Fran Chardo.In a letter from jail to the AP, Balmer denied targeting Shapiro because of his religion, writing:“He can be Jewish, Muslim, or a purple people eater for all I care, as long as he leaves me and mine alone.”What did the governor say?Governor Shapiro said his family supported the plea deal, calling it “real accountability.”He used the moment to warn about the wider issue of political violence.“My family isn’t alone in experiencing political violence,” he said. “It shouldn’t be accepted as the normal course of doing business.”Dauphin County District Attorney Francis T. Chardo speaks during a news conference, after Cody Balmer, accused setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence, made a court appearance at Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo)Shapiro said several world leaders had reached out after the attack, sharing their own concerns about safety and threats against public officials.Balmer’s family said his mental health had deteriorated in the months before the attack. A letter from relatives read in court said he had stopped taking medication, which led him down “a dark and difficult path.”At an earlier hearing, Balmer said he was an unemployed welder with no savings and “a lot of children.”The governor’s residence, built in 1968, did not have a sprinkler system at the time. Repairs and security upgrades are ongoing, the AP said.AdvertisementTop story1Gaza Peace Summit Live Updates | Israel opens fire on suspects in Gaza, local authorities report six killed2‘King’ without his crown: TIME Magazine in Trump’s crosshairs over ‘worst photo of all time’3After Israel-Hamas prisoner swap, leaders of US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey sign Gaza deal4India is a great country with good friend of mine at top, says Trump 5Indian-origin man Subu Vedam, wrongfully jailed in US for 43 years, faces deportation by ICE after exonerationAdvertisementLoading Taboola...SubscribeSign InJournalism of CourageTop CategoriesLATEST STORIESUK, US impose sanctions on Southeast Asian scam networks using trafficked workersInstagram to limit teen content to PG-13 by default, adds parental controls20 feared dead after moving bus catches fire in JaisalmerPune District Collector served legal notice for non-compliance of SC order demanding formation of road safety committees250 Palestinian prisoners, 1,808 detainees released by Israel: Red CrossLadu-Chivda sale, which has a place in the Guinness Book of Records, enters 38th yearGolf’s glittering stars in India: Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Luke Donald battle for $4million prize money at DP World India ChampionshipAbhinav Kashyap calls Salman Khan a ‘criminal’, says actor’s money can’t buy him: ‘I’m not for sale, his sycophants have a problem with me’Gujarat Confidential: Key roleNew DGP catches cops off guard with surprise visit to Panchkula police stationAccused of looting Rs 1.45 crore hawala money, 11 Madhya Pradesh cops booked, 5 arrestedPradeep Ranganathan heaps praise on Dude composer Sai Abhayankar: ‘All directors and stars want to work with him now’Malala Yousafzai says smoking weed at Oxford triggered flashbacks of Taliban attack4/4 wins in men’s singles at Badminton junior World Championships for India; Tanvi thrashes opponent 15-2, 15-1CM Manik Saha seeks Union Health Minister J P Nadda’s intervention to set up new medical college in TripuraIndian Railways launches door-to-door freight services to cut logistics costs, bridge last-mile gaps