The man accused of setting a fire at the Pennsylvania’s governor’s mansion as Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside was sentenced Tuesday to 25 to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges. No one was injured in the fire, which caused significant damage to the property and has been cited as an example of escalating political violence in the United States.
Cody Balmer pleaded guilty to 22 counts of arson, terrorism, aggravated arson, burglary, aggravated assault of Shapiro, 21 counts of reckless endangerment and loitering, The Associated Press reported.
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What happened during the fire?
During the night of April 13, Shapiro, his family and another family staying at the mansion were awakened and evacuated the residence after Balmer set the fire. The families were celebrating Seder at the beginning of Passover.
According to court documents, Balmer told police he planned to attack Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he found him after breaking into the residence. Balmer turned himself in to authorities the afternoon after the fire.
Investigators said Balmer broke in through the southern wing of the home. During the investigation, police found two broken bottles containing gasoline.
What were Balmer’s motives?
While the attack occurred during a Jewish holiday, Balmer told the AP that Shapiro’s religion wasn’t a motive.
“He can be Jewish, Muslim, or a purple people eater for all I care and as long as he leaves me and mine alone,” Balmer wrote in a letter to The Associated Press.
Balmer refused to say why he targeted Shapiro or why he thought Shapiro had wronged him, saying, “I’m not going to answer that.”
The governor’s mansion was built in 1968 and did not have sprinklers installed. Work to repair the damage continues.
