New Surveillance Video Released Of Arsonist Setting Fire To Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion

The video is even worse then the reports.

New surveillance has been released of the arsonist who set fire to the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion.

The arsonist behind the blaze was identified as Cody Balmer who has since pleaded guilty to charges of arson, and attempted murder of Governor Josh Shapiro.

Watch it here:

The man who set the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion ablaze in April pleaded guilty today to charges.

New video shows the crime in progress. https://t.co/c7ZLFcjF4n pic.twitter.com/2waaF62k4V

— TMZ (@TMZ) October 14, 2025

ABC News reported more information on the newly released surveillance footage:

The man who firebombed the official residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro pleaded guilty on Tuesday and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison, prosecutors said.

Cody Balmer pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated arson, arson and the attempted murder of Shapiro, the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors released surveillance video on Tuesday capturing the attack as it unfolded.

Balmer climbed a fence at the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, broke a window and hurled a Molotov cocktail inside, prosecutors said.

Video showed Balmer walking through the house, hitting at doors, “including a door leading to where the Governor’s family and guests slept, but could not break through,” prosecutors said in a statement.

The man accused of trying to kill Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in an arson attack has pleaded guilty to all charges. Cody Balmer now faces up to 50 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. NewsNation's @RichMcHugh is live outside the courthouse. More: https://t.co/dCxjGHPrEM pic.twitter.com/bRLnXASAKL

— NewsNation (@NewsNation) October 14, 2025

The aftermath:

🚨BREAKING: Cody Balmer, the man who firebombed the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion while Gov. Shapiro and his family slept has pleaded guilty to charges including attempted murder, terrorism, and aggravated arson — and got 25 to 50 years behind bars. pic.twitter.com/EVDTMaFJdH

— Timcast News (@TimcastNews) October 14, 2025

The Washington Examiner reported more on Balmer’s guilty plead:

Cody Balmer, the Pennsylvania man accused of firebombing the residence of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro earlier this year, pleaded guilty to all counts he faced on Tuesday, including attempted homicide, aggravated arson, and terrorism.

Balmer, a 38-year-old man from Penbrook, pleaded guilty to all charges during his first appearance in state court related to the April 13 predawn fire bombing that scorched the inside of the governor’s mansion during Passover, according to a local NBC affiliate. He faces a minimum of 25 years in prison to a maximum of 50 years in prison.

According to police, Balmer allegedly jumped a fence at the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg and lobbed two Molotov cocktails he created using beer bottles and gasoline.

Although Shapiro’s family was home, nobody was hurt in the incident. Shapiro, who is Jewish, was celebrating with more than two dozen people for the first night of the holiday.

After setting the mansion ablaze, Balmer called 911 and self-reported his crime, allegedly telling the dispatcher that Shapiro “needs to know that [Balmer] ‘will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.’”