The man who scaled a fence and hurled Molotov cocktails into the Pennsylvania governor's mansion earlier this year pleaded guilty to attempted murder, aggravated arson and terrorism on Oct. 14.

Cody Balmer, 38, turned himself in after authorities said he climbed over a perimeter fence, broke a window and threw a firebomb inside, then entered the residence and started more fires before fleeing. Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were inside the home in the early morning hours of April 13.

The Shapiro family and others were safely evacuated from the mansion, but the attack drew scrutiny on his security detail after Balmer was able to slip past while on security camera and with state troopers actively looking for an intruder.

Balmer will spend 25 to 50 years in prison after entering the guilty plea as part of a deal with prosecutors during a hearing before Dauphin County Common Pleas Judge Deborah E. Curcillo. He pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Shapiro, aggravated arson, 22 counts of arson, burglary and other related charges.

"This is a just outcome," Shapiro, standing beside his wife, Lori, said in a press conference shortly after the hearing. "I want you to know that our family fully supported the plea that (Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo) negotiated."

The fire caused extensive damage to the first floor of the residence. Nobody was injured. At the time of the attack, Shapiro, his wife, three of their children, 15 guests – including family members – and two Pennsylvania State Police Troopers were inside the residence, prosecutors said. Eight of the people present were children between the ages of 8 and 16.

After the fire, Balmer told a 911 operator he targeted Shapiro because of his perceived stance on the Israel-Hamas war. He told the operator that Shapiro needs to know he "will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people," according to an affidavit.

Shapiro, Pennsylvania's third Jewish governor, rose to prominence as an outspoken Democratic governor and was on Kamala Harris' short list for her running mate in the 2024 presidential election. He has been governor of Pennsylvania since 2023 and is an outspoken supporter of Israel, though he has also been critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Shapiro told reporters at a news conference on April 16 that regardless of the motivation for the crime, political violence must be condemned as unacceptable in our society.

"Nothing he could do would deter me from doing my job as governor. Nothing he could do would deter me from proudly and openly practicing my faith," Shapiro said. He and his family hosted a celebration for the start of the Jewish holiday Passover hours before the fire.

Balmer's attorney did not immediately return a request for comment on the plea. He could be eligible for parole in 2050 at the age of 63, the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office said.

Newly released surveillance footage shows arson attack

Prosecutors released surveillance footage from both outside and inside the Governor's Mansion while Balmer broke in and set the fires.

Two different angles show Balmer walking up a well-lit path toward the home and swinging at a window with what prosecutors said was a sledgehammer. A fast-growing blaze is seen in the window as Balmer walks to another window and again smashes it using a sledgehammer, then climbs inside, the video shows. A short time later he is seen exiting a door and walking back away from the home.

From inside the residence, a camera shows Balmer walking through a room and attempting to kick his way through two doorways before giving up, as the room gradually fills with smoke. In another room, cameras caught Balmer lighting multiple fires.

(This story was updated to add new information)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man pleads guilty to attempted murder in arson at Pennsylvania governor's mansion

Reporting by Jeanine Santucci and Matthew Rink, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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