Newly released surveillance video shows the shocking moment an arsonist tried to burn down Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion using Molotov cocktails — while the governor and his family were asleep inside.
The footage, released Tuesday by the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office, came just after 38-year-old Cody Balmer pleaded guilty to attempted murder, aggravated arson, terrorism, and several other charges. He’s now been sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.
The video captures Balmer walking onto the property around 2 a.m. on April 13 — hours after the Shapiro family celebrated the first night of Passover. He’s seen smashing a window with a sledgehammer, then hurling a flaming Molotov cocktail inside, sparking an explosion of fire.
Balmer broke another window and climbed into the mansion, striking doors that led to the area where the Shapiros and their guests were sleeping. When he couldn’t break through, he threw another Molotov cocktail into the dining room before fleeing.
Authorities said Balmer admitted he “harbored hatred” toward Governor Shapiro and had planned to attack him with the hammer if he found him inside.
At a press conference after Balmer’s guilty plea, Shapiro called for “real accountability for acts of political violence.”
“Our family is not the only one to experience political violence,” Shapiro said. “We can’t grow numb to it or accept it as normal. This cannot become the way we do business in America.”