Harrisburg, Pa. — A year and a half before a man allegedly torched the Governor’s Residence, his wife filed a protection from abuse order (PFA) against him in a Lycoming County courthouse.
State police identified Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, as the man who forced his way into Governor Josh Shapiro’s home and used molotov cocktails to set it ablaze. Shapiro, his wife, and children were in the home when the fire was set.
Balmer received three charges for attacking his wife and two of his children in January 2023, according to court documents.
While Balmer was out on $5,000 unsecured bail, his wife filed a PFA and for divorce in Lycoming County just shy of a year after the alleged attack. The PFA cites the attack as the primary catalyst for the filing.
On Dec. 29, 2023, President Judge Nancy Butts signed off on the PFA drawn up by Williamsport attorney W. Jeffrey Yates. Judge Ryan Tira signed off on a final PFA order on Jan. 12, 2024.
The PFA alleged Balmer had been emotionally and physically abusive to his wife and children, two boys and two girls, in the past. He “constantly” tried to fight his young children and “overused” physical punishments on them, the PFA states.
The order also states that the abuse Balmer’s wife suffered caused her to lose her house and job.
Balmer is accused of starting a fire in the Governor’s Residence during the first night of Passover, a Jewish holiday that the governor and his family openly celebrated hours before the fire was set. Shapiro made remarks the day after the arson, detailing his suspicion of the attack’s timing.
“No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly,” Shapiro said.
Balmer now simultaneously faces two legal battles — one for attacking his own family, and another for attempting to kill the family of Pennsylvania’s highest ranking official.
Alleged attempted suicide sparks family fight
On Jan. 23, 2023, Balmer’s son called police to report his father was beating his mother. Police met Balmer’s wife outside of their home, and she recounted an argument which began with her husband telling her he had “taken a bottle full of pills in an attempt to kill himself,” according to an affidavit.
The PFA order alleges this event to be the most recent incident of abuse between Balmer and his wife. The order also states that the wife was dropping off their children to Balmer when he told her he tried to commit suicide.
During the argument, the couple’s 13-year-old son stepped between his parents, the wife said. Balmer allegedly later admitted to shoving his son at that point, and a fight quickly ensued between him and his three family members.
Balmer allegedly punched his wife and 13-year-old son in the face during the altercation. He also elbowed his 10-year-old son “several times in the chest,” court documents state.
The 10-year-old’s ankle was recently broken at the time of the family’s fight. Balmer allegedly stepped on and attempted to re-break his son’s ankle as he attacked his wife and two sons.
Balmer’s wife also told police that her husband bit her hand during the fight. Police say she had a puncture wound on her thumb. She admitted to hitting Balmer, saying she only did so to defend herself and her children. The PFA alleges that at some point during the altercation, Balmer strangled his wife.
Unsecured bail, PFA filed
Balmer was involuntarily committed to a mental health facility after the fight. He was arrested immediately upon his release from the facility.
Three misdemeanor simple assault charges were filed against Balmer. His bail was set at $5,000 unsecured the day after the attack. On June 8, 2023, his bail conditions were changed to “make (it) easier to co-parent,” according to a docket.
Balmer had shared custody of his two daughters, ages 5 and 3, at the time of the PFA’s filing. His two boys resided with their mother.
He waived his arraignment, and his plea court hearing was rescheduled eight times, seven times due to the defense reporting they were “not ready.”
The couple’s divorce was finalized in the Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas on Feb. 26, about seven weeks before Balmer allegedly lit the governor’s house on fire.
Balmer has since been denied bail for the arson, terrorism, and attempted homicide charges, and is currently being held in Dauphin County Prison.
After the ninth rescheduling, Balmer’s plea hearing for the assault charges was set for 8:30 a.m. on April 16. His preliminary hearing for the arson charges is set for 2 p.m. on April 23.
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