Suspect in arson at Pennsylvania governor's home targeted the governor for his views on war in Gaza, warrant says

[Polybius]

Source: CNN

Cody Balmer, the man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence, told 911 operators he targeted the governor in part because of his views on the war in Gaza, according to a search warrant obtained by CNN from the Dauphin County district attorney.

The warrant, first reported by news site PennLive, says Balmer called 911 early Sunday morning after the fire at the governor’s residence, and said Shapiro needs to know he “will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.”

Balmer also told 911 operators Shapiro needed to “stop having my friends killed,” and that “our people have been put through too much by that monster,” the warrant says.

This statement “demonstrates Balmer’s political motivation for his conduct,” the warrant says.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/16/us/cody-balmer-search-warrant-shapiro-arson-motive/index.html

[hlthe2b]

1. Seems he hated everyone as his divergent views are off the map--

I've been looking for more info on the supposed "little-known far-right extremist group" that supposedly was likewise all over the map with their hate.

Perhaps just severe mental illness. Frankly, some of the extreme hatred we see today needs a new categorization in DSM, (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)...

Regardless, we need to find ways to stop its spread, and I'm not sure what that will be--with social media driving and propelling it.

[angrychair]

3. It's not social media

It's people. The hate, distrust and misinformation on the Internet and even in our society, is on purpose.
It is meant to feed our worst impulses and cause us to lash out at those around us for the slightest offense.
Combined with untreated mental health issues and a unrelenting sense of helplessness and certain subgroups of people start to become dangerous.
Not to mention that dissent is now met with government retribution in some cases and escalation of that crackdown on dissent is growing.
When you even take away someone's voice, especially when they have already been pumped full of hate and conspiracies, violence is the likely and I have to believe the intended, outcome.

In short this was inevitable, intentional and likely not the last time. They, meaning this administration, have been priming the pump and they are relentlessly trying to engender conflict in the general population.

[mdbl]

6. So it is social media

"The hate, distrust and misinformation on the Internet and even in our society, is on purpose." If "social media" was trying to control this, it wouldn't be social media. They are not blameless. They are just greedy corporations who are loyal to money and nothing else.

[hlthe2b]

7. No time in the history of man can both good and horrendous ideas and manipulative discourse

been able to spread, as now with social media.

That you deny its role is just astounding. Good heavens... A bit like the insanity of the overwhelming and nearly incalculable number of guns having zero role in gun deaths in this country.. There would still be murderous people in this world, but you can kill a hell of a lot less efficiently with knives or whatever other non-ballistic weapon one could dream up. And hate spreads a hell of a lot less quickly and thoroughly without the communication channel just made to do so-called social media (and manipulative, greedy overseers that promote it).

[maxsolomon]

2. Here's the thing, crazy person:

The Governor of Pennsylvania is not responsible for the conduct of the war on Gaza. He has no plans. He controls a US State.

He doesn't control US Foreign Policy AT ALL.

[yardwork]

8. But it's not surprising that people are confused about this.

The so-called pro-Palestinian protests targeted random Jewish people, restaurant owners, college presidents, and anybody else who was Jewish - all while screaming at them to stop Israel.

It's almost as if some people think that all Jewish people are in cahoots and pulling all the strings, globally. Where would they get such an idea.

[twodogsbarking]

4. Shapiro is a better man than most. Much better.

[Number9Dream]

5. Shapiro stepped in to save our (PA's) cut funding, when worthless AG Sunday did nothing

[twodogsbarking]

9. Not aiming blame at anyone but it would seem security was, well, lacking.

[PhylliPretzel]

10. Corretion:

The fire was set at the PA Governor's Mansion while Gov. Shapiro and family were in residence. The mansion is not owned by Josh Shapiro, but owned by the citizens of PA, and we taxpayers will have to foot the bill for its repairs.
It is important that the media report accurately. When they mess up simple facts, I wonder what else they get wrong . . .