Cody Ballmer, 38, first appeared at the Harrisburg courthouse on Monday afternoon, where he denied suffering from a mental state.
The man accused of burning the Pennsylvania governor’s residence was suffering from mental illness, his brother said Tuesday.
Cody Ballmer, 38, had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but he didn’t believe his assessment, his brother, Dan Ballmer, said. Cody Balmer had been treated twice at the Pennsylvania Institute of Psychiatrics.
Authorities claim that Cody Ballmer reduced the iron security fence, fled police and set up official homes for Governor Josh Shapiro of Harrisburg’s flames early Sunday morning.
Ballmer denied being bailed after his first appearance at Harrisburg court on Monday afternoon and suffering from mental illness.
“That’s a rumour, but there’s no wife,” he told Judge Dale Klein during his arrest.
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Cody Ballmer did not plead for charges that included attempted murder, assault, arson or terrorism.
Ballmer admitted to authorities that he broke into the governor’s mansion on April 13th and set the fire on fire. He also said that if he met the governor face to face that night, he would attack him with a sledgehammer.
Shapiro and his family were sleeping during the time, but were awakened by state troopers and forced to evacuate. The arson attack came hours after Shapiro celebrated the Jewish Passover in his historic residence with his family and several guests. The Shapiro family was evacuated without injuries, authorities said.
Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were lying inside in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on April 13, 2025, but the damage occurred after the fire at the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion. Commonwealth Media Services via AP
According to the affidavit, he confessed to the woman and asked her to call the police before placing himself at the state police headquarters.
The motives for the attack, such as whether it has something to do with the governor’s religious beliefs, remain unknown.
Both Republicans and Democrats sought quick justice and denounced the attack as political violence.
Ballmer is being held without bail at Dauphin County Jail. His next court appearance was set for April 23rd.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
