A suspected arsonist pleaded guilty in a Pennsylvania court on Tuesday after being accused of setting fire to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion in April as Shapiro and his family were asleep.

Cody Balmer, age 36, attended the plea hearing at the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg. He was dressed in a dark red jumpsuit and restrained with handcuffs and ankle chains.

Balmer confessed to multiple charges, including attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and other related offenses.

The fire reportedly took place around 2 a.m. on April 13, following the Shapiro family’s celebration of the first night of Passover. At the time of the alleged arson, the family was asleep.

Cody Balmer, accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence, seen at Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

In a 911 Balmer allegedly made after setting the fire, he admits that he set fire to the residence because of what Shapiro “wants to do to the Palestinian people,” according to audio obtained by FOX29 Philadelphia.

Fire damage inside the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion is shown, after an apparent arson attack in the early morning on Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Commonwealth Media Services)

Authorities said at the time of his arrest that “Balmer admitted to harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro.”  Balmer also allegedly said he planned to attack Shapiro with his hammer if he were to find the governor in the mansion.

Cody Balmer, accused of setting a fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence arrives at Dauphin County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Shapiro addressed the arson attack shortly after it happened.

“This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society,” Shapiro said during 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.”

This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.