A shocking incident occurred in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, early on April 13, 2025, when investigators were called to the official residence of the state governor following an overnight fire. The blaze, which caused significant damage to the mansion, was allegedly ignited by 38-year-old Cody Balmer, who reportedly firebombed the property. In a twist that has captured public attention, Balmer made a 911 call less than an hour after the attack, during which he seemed to confess and apologize for his actions.

During the recorded call, obtained by ABC News through a public records request, Balmer stated, I dont really have an emergency. I would like to apologize. His calm demeanor throughout the call stands in stark contrast to the violent act of arson he allegedly committed. Balmer referenced Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro by name, expressing his grievances against the governors policies, particularly in relation to the Palestinian people. Gov. Josh Shapiro needs to know that Cody Balmer will not take part in his plan for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people, he declared. He needs to leave my family alone.

In a series of troubling statements, Balmer continued to assert that those close to him were being harmed, saying, He needs to stop having my friends killed. Our people have been put through too much by that monster. The call also hinted at the extent of damage caused to the governor's residence, particularly mentioning the dining room. Balmer claimed, All he has is a banquet hall to clean up, emphasizing his discontent with the governors actions and the impact they had on his life.

Balmer expressed a wish for peace, stating, I wish no harm onto anyone, although he warned that the governors actions were causing considerable harm to many. But that man, that man is doing serious, serious harm to probably yourself included, he said. His confession was delivered calmly, despite the gravity of the situation, and he concluded the call before the operator had a chance to respond.

The 911 call was made around 2:50 a.m., shortly after the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire responded to reports of flames at the governor's residence. Remarkably, the Shapiro family was present at the mansion during the attack but managed to evacuate safely without injuries. The incident occurred just hours after the Shapiro family hosted a gathering of more than two dozen people for the first night of Passover, adding a layer of tragic timing to the event.

According to police reports, Balmer allegedly gained entrance to the governor's mansion by hopping a fence, breaking windows, and deploying Molotov cocktails made from beer bottles and gasoline. Following the incident, he turned himself in and confessed to starting the fire. Balmer now faces serious legal repercussions, including eight criminal charges such as attempted murder, terrorism, and aggravated arson. Notably, prosecutors have yet to apply Pennsylvanias hate crime law, which is categorized as ethnic intimidation in the state.

During his arraignment on April 14, Balmer, a mechanic with a history of expressing disdain for Democrats on social media, was denied bail. The judge acknowledged Balmers decision to turn himself in but ultimately concluded that there were no conditions that could assure the safety of the community. He is currently set to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 23, where the legal proceedings will continue to unfold.