Shapiro arson suspect faced charges in domestic violence case, financial and legal turmoil

Sad Reality: Reactions To Violence, Crime Weighed On A Political Scale

Over the weekend, a deranged arsonist attempted to burn down the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion With Governor Shapiro and his family inside. The psycho also allegedly planned to take out the governor with a hammer.It’s horrific that someone would do this. End of sentence. No "but", no understanding of the sentiment, no grace for the perpetrator regardless of his affiliation or motivation or race or anything.See, that wasn’t hard. It wasn’t hard…

Accused arsonist's wife filed for PFA, divorce in Williamsport after alleged abuse

Harrisburg, Pa. — A year and a half before a man allegedly torched the Governor's Residence, his wife filed a protection from abuse order (PFA) against him in a Lycoming County courthouse.

Pennsylvania arson suspect was free on bail ‘to co-parent’ after alleged family violence: report

The suspect accused of lighting the Pennsylvania governor's mansion on fire was out on bail stemming from a 2023 domestic assault case.

Accused Shapiro Attacker Is Self-Described "Socialist," Fits Pattern of Political Violence

While Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family slept after celebrating the Seder, a solemn Passover meal, at their home early Sunday morning, a man broke into their residence and tried to set it ablaze using gasoline from a lawnmower. That attacker, state authorities now believe, was Cody Balmer, 38, who has now been charged [...] The post Accused Shapiro Attacker Is Self-Described “Socialist,” Fits Pattern of Political Violence appeare…

Buffalo man faces life in prison sentence in domestic violence homicide in the Falls

LOCKPORT — A Buffalo man will face up to life in prison after his guilty plea Monday morning to a grand jury indictment that had charged him in connection with a domestic-related homicide in the Falls.

Plagued by legal woes, alleged Shapiro attacker espoused murky political views

Cody Balmer enters the courthouse where he was arraigned Monday, April 14, 2025, on charges he firebombed Gov. Josh Shapiro's official residence early Sunday morning. (Ian Karbal/Capital-Star)The Harrisburg man charged with setting fire to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence Sunday had a turbulent life marked by other legal troubles, public records show.  Cody Balmer, 38, was originally scheduled to appear in court this week to answer simple …