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 masking his house mortgage, in line with court docket information 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 court docket, 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 court docket this coming Wednesday on expenses 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 advised police was his failed try at suicide.
He had labored as an auto mechanic within the Harrisburg space and served eight years as an Military Reservist from his late teen years onward. U.S. Military Spokeswoman Heather J. Hagan mentioned in an announcement that Balmer was a development tools 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 hearth on the governor’s official residence on Sunday, April 13, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Picture/Marc Levy)
Marc Levy/AP
In 2022, Balmer was sued by a mortgage lender in search of 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 attributable to a number of hardship elements, together with accidents from an auto accident resulting in his lack of ability to work and keep an revenue and a separation from his spouse,” his lawyer mentioned in court docket 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 similar time, he had an escalating and allegedly violent scenario at house, court docket paperwork present.
Injury 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 through AP
In late Jan. 2023, native police have been known as to a house within the Harrisburg space for what was characterised in court docket paperwork as an “energetic bodily home” incident.
“A toddler caller suggested his stepfather was beating his mom,” the responding officer’s affidavit mentioned. The officer responded and out of doors 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 mentioned.
Balmer advised the officer “that he had taken a bottle stuffed with tablets in an try and kill himself,” the affidavit mentioned. “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} combat 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 grievance.
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 wouldn’t have to put up any cash upfront however should comply with pay the acknowledged bail quantity ought to they not present up for court docket or violate bail circumstances, in line with state regulation.
The assault case continues to be pending in Dauphin County. A separate prison docket states {that a} listening to in that case was scheduled for this coming Wednesday.
Obtainable court docket 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.
Injury 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 through AP
Balmer was additionally beforehand accused of forgery. Court docket information present he pleaded responsible and was sentenced to 18 months of probation. Balmer’s estranged spouse’s aunt advised ABC Information over the telephone that she had solely met him “a few occasions” however that “he appeared good.”
“He was just a little quiet, simply, just a little laid again, however he appeared good,” Aunt Janel Jones mentioned. She had heard of the arson assault of which Balmer is now accused — a “shock” to her, she mentioned.
“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 particular person that would offer you, like, a greater understanding of him could be my niece, his spouse,” Jones mentioned, including her niece has two daughters with Balmer. “In order that’s — that is loopy. That is actually loopy,” Jones mentioned.
A Fb profile being reviewed by regulation enforcement in connection to Balmer displays a mixture of household pictures with what gave the impression to be an expression of disdain for politicians on each side of the aisle. His photos embody selfies with small children carrying costumes, and different posts embody 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 concerning the excessive value of residing 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 thankful for the chance you had.”
In a 2022 put up, Balmer shared a picture of an embroidered flaming Molotov cocktail, with the inscription: “Be the sunshine you wish to see on the planet.”