Arson suspect angry with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro over Palestinian stance, search warrants say

Balmer’s social media presence suggests staunch anti-government views, including negative content about former President Joe Biden and memes urging people to “become ungovernable.”

Shapiro, a Democrat and former Pennsylvania attorney general, assumed the governor’s office in 2023. He has sharply condemned the rise of antisemitism, including at some pro-Palestinian protests, while also condemning Islamophobia.

Balmer, of Penbrook, turned himself in to state police on Sunday afternoon, after authorities said he also told an ex-girlfriend about breaking into the governor’s mansion. The woman also called police, they said.

The Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office announced charges of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism and other counts. District Attorney Fran Chardo said on Monday that his office would review whether the suspect was motivated by politics or religion.

Sunday’s security breach at Shapiro’s residence occurred while the family and other guests were asleep. According to a probable cause affidavit, Balmer scaled a perimeter fence, then used a hammer to smash through a window where he threw a homemade incendiary device made out of a beer bottle into a first-floor room, setting off a “substantial fire.” He then smashed a window of an adjacent room, entered and deployed a second device, according to the affidavit, before exiting the residence and fleeing.

Balmer told police that had he encountered Shapiro, “he would have beaten him with his hammer,” the affidavit said, which added that “Balmer admitted to harboring hatred” toward Shapiro.

The governor recounted during a news conference Sunday that he and his family awoke to the noise of a state trooper banging on their door. State police said the incident unfolded over “several minutes,” and that while security knew a breach had occurred on the sprawling property, the intruder managed to evade them while troopers went to ensure the governor’s safety. No one was injured.

Pennsylvania State Police said Wednesday that a third-party expert would conduct an independent security review of the incident.

Balmer remains jailed after a judge on Monday denied him bail during a preliminary arraignment; he did not enter a plea.

During his appearance, he rejected having a mental illness or requiring medication.

“That’s the rumor, but no, ma’am,” he told the judge.

Balmer also said that he lives with his parents and was unemployed, but that his last job was as a welder at a truck body manufacturer. He added that he has “a lot” of children, and has previously been arrested, but “missed a few” court dates.

Records show he was due to appear in court this week involving charges of simple assault related to a January 2023 domestic dispute.

Penbrook police said they had responded to the home of Balmer’s then-wife, after a child called 911 to say his stepfather was assaulting his mother.

Balmer “advised that he had taken a bottle full of pills in an attempt to kill himself,” the complaint said. He began arguing with his wife, and then shoved her 13-year-old son when the child intervened, the complaint added.

Balmer was accused of physically assaulting his wife, her son and another 10-year-old son.

The court hearing this week was continued in light of his arrest, court officials said.

Over the years, Balmer had also pleaded guilty to forgery and theft in 2015 and again to forgery in 2016. He did hold a steady job for several years as a mechanic.

Dipesh Modi, the owner of Kindermans Auto Repair in Harrisburg, said “nothing stood out” about Balmer, and their parting in 2022 was “mutual.”

But Balmer’s mother said she was concerned about his mental health in recent days, and told The Associated Press on Monday that he was not taking his medication and that “nobody would help” when she called authorities last week.

Penbrook police Lt. Jesse Foltz confirmed the department did receive a call from Balmer’s mother on Thursday asking for help for her son after he left the family’s home. But Foltz said that because Baumer hadn’t articulated any actual threats to himself or others, police could not hold him for an involuntary mental health evaluation.

Balmer’s mother also told police she tried getting help from the local crisis intervention office, and that her son became upset because she called them. The office did not return a request for comment.

Balmer’s mother and his ex-girlfriend who called police following the arson attack also didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Shapiro earlier Wednesday made his first public appearance since the weekend at an opening of a new Hershey Company manufacturing plant. He alluded to the attack in his remarks.

“I think it is particularly good and meaningful for me to be here today, given the events of this past weekend, to celebrate the growth of this iconic company,” he said. “I know it’s easy to look at the world and see the people who are trying to tear things down.”