Suspect Planned To Beat Shapiro With A Hammer

April 13, 2025 4:43 am

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Court documents say a man who authorities say scaled an iron security fence in the middle of the night, eluded police and broke into the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion where he set a fire had planned to beat Gov. Josh Shapiro with a hammer if he found him. The fire left significant damage and forced Shapiro, his family and guests to evacuate the building early Sunday. The man was captured later in the day and faces charges including attempted homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault. Authorities identified the man in custody as 38-year-old Cody Balmer of Harrisburg.