The suspect in the arson of the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion was allegedly called for 911 after setting fire to a residence that he described as being motivated by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Cody Ballmer, 38, is charged with attempted murder, robbery, robbery, terrorism and related crimes after allegedly causing a fire in the residence of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro on Sunday.
Audio obtained by Fox 29 says in the 911 phone that Ballmer allegedly made, he admits that Shapiro, a Jew, set fire to the residence because he “want to do it to the Palestinian people.”
A suspected Pennsylvania arsonist could be motivated by the war in Gaza: police
Cody Ballmer, the man accused of setting the governor’s mansion on fire, thrust his tongue out in a court complaint on April 14, 2025. (wtxf)
Before Ballmer could explain that there was no emergency, the dispatcher first asked for the address for the emergency.
“Well, I’m not really in an emergency. I want to apologise. Gov. Josh Shapiro needs to know that Cody Bermer won’t be involved in planning what he wants to do with the Palestinians,” Ballmer said over the phone. “He needs to leave my family alone. He needs to take his eyes off my daughter, and he has to stop killing my friends.
“Our people have done too much with that monster,” Ballmer told the dispatcher. “All he has is a banquet hall to clean. I’m tired of offering an extension of peace. I just want to be able to offer my own children. I shouldn’t be taken to these extremes. It’s not fair. I hope that it doesn’t harm anyone.
Pennsylvania arson suspect was released on bail to “co-parents” after alleged domestic violence: report
Cody Ballmer, 38, is charged with attempted murder, robbery, robbery, terrorism and related crimes after allegedly setting a fire on April 13, 2025 at Governor’s mansion, Gov. Josh Shapiro. (Dawphin County District Attorney’s Office)
Ballmer added:
Similar to the 911 call, a search warrant for Balmer’s device revealed that Balmer targeted the governor for “what he wants to do to the Palestinian people,” Pennlive reported. According to the warrant, state police Cpl. Benjamin Forsyth said the suspect targeted Shapiro “the injustice that he perceived by the Palestinian people.” Forsyth also elaborated on the governor’s Jewish faith as the motive behind the attack.
Another warrant details an interview with a state trooper who is allegedly admitted to Ballmer’s “hatefulness” Shapiro. Ballmer also admitted to the troopers that he was responsible for the arson attack and said that if he found a governor at the mansion, he planned to attack Shapiro with his hammer.
The major fire damage to the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion and Governor Josh Shapiro is seen at a press conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on April 13, 2025. (Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
Surveillance video on the warrant shows Ballmer breaking windows at the governor’s residence before throwing the “stable device” inside. According to the warrant, Balmer broke another window, entered the residence and deployed another fried Cen device before “approaching the exit of the dining room.”
According to the warrant, the woman appears to be seen as Ballmer’s “former Paramore,” but he confessed to the attack and asked police to call.
“This type of violence is becoming too common in our society,” Shapiro said at a press conference. “And if it’s coming from one particular side, directed at one particular party or another, I don’t mind. It’s not ok, it needs to be stopped. We need to be better than this.”
Rachel Wolf of Fox News contributed to this report.
