Suspect's 911 call released after arson at PA governor's mansion that appeared to be fueled by war in Gaza
The suspect in the arson at the Pennsylvania governor's mansion allegedly made a call after he set fire to the residence in which he explained that he was motivated by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza Cody Balmer is charged with attempted murder aggravated arson burglary terrorism and related offenses for allegedly setting fire to Democrat Gov Josh Shapiro's residence on Sunday In a call allegedly made by Balmer he admits that he set fire to the residence because of what Shapiro who is Jewish wants to do to the Palestinian people according to audio obtained by Fox SUSPECTED PENNSYLVANIA ARSONIST MAY HAVE BEEN MOTIVATED BY WAR IN GAZA POLICEA dispatcher first sought for the address of the urgency before Balmer explained that there was no urgency Well I don't really have an emergency I would like to apologize Governor Josh Shapiro demands to know that Cody Balmer will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people Balmer commented in the call He requirements to leave my family alone He requirements to get his eyes off of my daughters And he necessities to stop having my friends killed like he had Manny killed two weeks ago or last week on Saturday Our people have been put through too much by that monster Balmer advised the dispatcher All he has is a banquet hall to clean up I'm tired of offering extensions of peace I only want to be able to provide for my children I should not be taken to these extremes It's not fair I wish no harm onto anyone But that man that man he is doing serious serious harm to presumably yourself included And I do wish you the best sir PENNSYLVANIA ARSON SUSPECT WAS FREE ON BAIL TO CO-PARENT AFTER ALLEGED FAMILY VIOLENCE REPORTBalmer added You all know where to find me I'm not hiding and I will confess to everything that I had done Similar to the call a search warrant for Balmer s devices had revealed that Balmer targeted the governor for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people PennLive informed According to the warrant State Police Cpl Benjamin Forsythe explained the suspect targeted Shapiro over perceived injustices to the people of Palestine Forsythe also pointed to the governor s Jewish faith as a manageable motive behind the attack without elaborating Another warrant details Balmer s interview with state troopers in which he allegedly admitted to harboring hatred towards Shapiro Balmer also reportedly admitted to a trooper that he was responsible for the arson attack and noted he planned to attack Shapiro with his hammer if he were to find the governor in the mansion Surveillance video described in a warrant allegedly shows Balmer urgent a window at the governor s residence before throwing an incendiary device inside According to the warrant Balmer then broke another window entered the residence and deployed another incendiary device before he approached the dining room exit The warrant also says a woman seemingly identified as Balmer s ex-paramour mentioned he confessed to the attack and inquired her to call police to turn him in This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society Shapiro noted at a press briefing And I don't give a damn if it's coming from one particular side or the other directed at one particular party or another or one particular person or another It is not okay and it has to stop We have to be better than this Fox News' Rachel Wolf contributed to this document
