Arsonist Cody Balmer's mom warned police before Passover blaze at Governor Josh Shapiro’s home

Christie Balmer, the mother of Cody Balmer - the man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence - told CBS News that she made repeated attempts to alert law enforcement about her son’s declining mental health before Sunday’s alleged attack. “I reached out to four different police departments,” she said. “I couldn’t get anybody to help.”

According to Christie Balmer, her 38-year-old son had been suffering from mental illness and had stopped taking his medication prior to the incident. “So he was mentally ill, went off his meds, and this is what happened,” she said.

Despite his mother’s statements, Cody Balmer denied having any mental illness during his court appearance. He described himself as an unemployed welder with no income or savings and said he has “a lot of children.” He did not enter a plea to the multiple charges against him, and bail was denied.

Cody Balmer, a resident of Harrisburg, faces a slew of charges including attempted homicide, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and other serious offenses, the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office confirmed on Monday. Authorities said Balmer scaled an iron security fence, evaded state troopers, and broke into the governor’s residence in the early hours of Sunday morning before setting the property ablaze.

Governor Shapiro, his family, and their guests had been celebrating Passover at the home on Saturday. All were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. While the residence sustained damage, Shapiro later confirmed he spoke with FBI Director Christopher Wray, who pledged federal support for the ongoing investigation.

State police also revealed that Balmer was found with “homemade incendiary devices,” according to Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens. Balmer reportedly later turned himself in to law enforcement and admitted to harboring “hatred toward Governor Shapiro,” according to the probable cause affidavit.

Court records show that Balmer has a criminal history, including prior arrests for forgery, theft by deception, and assault.