The person accused of firebombing Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home over the weekend had struggled lately with issues in his house life in addition to points stemming from overlaying his house mortgage, in line with courtroom data reviewed by ABC Information.
Cody Allen Balmer was arrested on Sunday for allegedly breaking into the governor’s house whereas he and his household have been inside and setting fires with two Molotov cocktails.
He was denied bail at his arraignment on Monday.
Cody Balmer arrives at courtroom, April 14, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa.
ABC Information
Earlier than he was arrested and charged with tried murder, aggravated arson and terrorism within the assault on the governor’s mansion, Balmer was already due in courtroom this coming Wednesday on prices stemming from the home assault allegations.
Balmer, 38, had grappled with a protracted back-and-forth over foreclosures proceedings, and allegations that he assaulted his then-wife and youngsters amid what he informed police was his failed try at suicide.
He had labored as an auto mechanic within the Harrisburg space and served eight years as an Army Reservist from his late teen years onward. U.S. Military Spokeswoman Heather J. Hagan stated in an announcement that Balmer was a development gear repairer (62B) within the Military Reserve from April 2004 to June 2012. He had no deployments. He was a sergeant when he left the Military. The Service declined to say whether or not he had been discharged honorably, citing privateness legal guidelines.
Investigators are on the scene after an in a single day fireplace on the governor’s official residence on Sunday, April 13, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photograph/Marc Levy)
Marc Levy/AP
In 2022, Balmer was sued by a mortgage lender searching for to foreclose on his Harrisburg home. By June 2024, he owed practically $117,000 plus curiosity. A sheriff’s sale had been set, however Balmer’s lawyer requested that the sale be postponed, saying Balmer had discovered it more durable to make ends meet due to unhealthy luck and marital strife.
Balmer had “fallen behind in his mortgage because of a number of hardship elements, together with accidents from an auto accident resulting in his lack of ability to work and preserve an earnings and a separation from his spouse,” his lawyer stated in courtroom paperwork. Nonetheless, he had simply discovered a purchaser regardless of “quite a few points in and with the property” and wanted time to complete the sale. The case was dismissed in Jan. 2025 because the events had “resolved” the matter.
On the identical time, he had an escalating and allegedly violent state of affairs at house, courtroom paperwork present.
Harm is seen after a hearth on the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion whereas Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and his household slept inside on April 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa.
Commonwealth Media Companies by way of AP
In late Jan. 2023, native police have been referred to as to a house within the Harrisburg space for what was characterised in courtroom paperwork as an “energetic bodily home” incident.
“A baby caller suggested his stepfather was beating his mom,” the responding officer’s affidavit stated. The officer responded and outdoors the house met Balmer’s then-wife “in an elevated state, yelling and crying about her husband, Cody Balmer, having assaulted her.”
“Cody was nonetheless contained in the residence,” the officer stated.
Balmer informed the officer “that he had taken a bottle filled with tablets in an try and kill himself,” the affidavit stated. “An argument ensued between Cody and [his wife] to some extent that his 13-year-old son” had “stepped in between them. Cody then admitted to shoving his son and {that a} battle ensued between all events. Cody showcased accidents to his face.”
Balmer had hit his 10-year-old son “within the chest and stepped on his damaged leg within the midst of a scuffle with the sufferer and two others,” and had hit his 13-year-old son and his spouse “with closed fists, and bit his spouse inflicting a puncture wound on her hand,” in line with the prison criticism.
Reserving photograph of arson suspect, Cody Balmer.
Dauphin County District Legal professional
A $5,000 unsecured bail was set for Balmer, in line with a prison docket. The doc says this was “to make [it] simpler to co-parent.”
In Pennsylvania, defendants given an unsecured bail shouldn’t have to publish any cash upfront however should conform to pay the acknowledged bail quantity ought to they not present up for courtroom or violate bail circumstances, in line with state legislation.
The assault case remains to be pending in Dauphin County. A separate prison docket states {that a} listening to in that case was scheduled for this coming Wednesday.
Out there courtroom paperwork didn’t point out whether or not he had entered a plea within the home assault case. His estranged spouse and public defender didn’t instantly reply to ABC Information’ requests for remark.
Harm is seen after a hearth on the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion whereas Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and his household slept inside on April 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa.
Commonwealth Media Companies by way of AP
Balmer was additionally beforehand accused of forgery. Court docket data present he pleaded responsible and was sentenced to 18 months of probation. Balmer’s estranged spouse’s aunt informed ABC Information over the telephone that she had solely met him “a few instances” however that “he appeared good.”
“He was just a little quiet, simply, just a little laid again, however he appeared good,” Aunt Janel Jones stated. She had heard of the arson assault of which Balmer is now accused — a “shock” to her, she stated.
“It is a shock. To me, it is a shock. However you by no means know – I wasn’t round him 24/7 both. The one individual that might offer you, like, a greater understanding of him can be my niece, his spouse,” Jones stated, including her niece has two daughters with Balmer. “In order that’s — that is loopy. That is actually loopy,” Jones stated.
A Fb profile being reviewed by legislation enforcement in connection to Balmer displays a mixture of household photographs with what gave the impression to be an expression of disdain for politicians on either side of the aisle. His photos embrace selfies with small children carrying costumes, and different posts embrace critiques of each President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, the latter of whom he criticized for his age and his financial insurance policies.
Balmer additionally made quite a few posts complaining in regards to the excessive value of dwelling in the US. In Nov. 2022, he posted, “Cannot pay lease? Promote your f**** organs! No extra organs? F**** die then that is America be glad about the chance you had.”
In a 2022 publish, Balmer shared a picture of an embroidered flaming Molotov cocktail, with the inscription: “Be the sunshine you wish to see on this planet.”
