A Pennsylvania man has admitted to attempting to kill Governor Josh Shapiro by firebombing his official residence earlier this year. Cody Balmer, 38, pleaded guilty on Tuesday (October 14) to multiple charges, including attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, and 22 counts of arson—each representing a person endangered during the attack. Under a plea agreement, he faces a prison term ranging from 25 to 50 years, prosecutors announced.&nbsp;Balmer confessed to police that he was driven by “hatred” toward the Democratic governor. On the first night of Passover in April, he hurled a Molotov cocktail at the governor’s Georgian-style mansion in Harrisburg, where Shapiro was celebrating with friends and family. When asked by investigators what he would have done had he encountered Shapiro inside, Balmer chillingly replied that he “would have beaten him with his hammer.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-plot-twist-no-one-asked-for-meloni-s-viral-expressions-at-gaza-peace-summit-sparks-buzz-online-watch-1760454165383">‘Plot twist no one asked for’: Meloni’s viral expressions at Gaza peace summit sparks buzz online | WATCH</a>&nbsp;Governor Shapiro and his family were inside the home at the time, though the fire broke out in a separate section of the building. They were awakened around 2 a.m. by a state trooper who knocked on their door, and they were safely evacuated. No injuries were reported, but the mansion sustained significant damage.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/imf-forecasts-india-s-gdp-growth-to-6-6-for-2025-despite-us-tariff-concerns-1760451727341">IMF forecasts India’s GDP growth to 6.6% for 2025 despite US tariff concerns</a>&nbsp;Surveillance footage showed Balmer scaling the perimeter fence, smashing windows, and throwing gasoline-filled beer bottles before entering and igniting another firebomb. He later fled the scene. An ex-partner tipped off authorities, saying Balmer wanted to surrender. He subsequently walked into a state police headquarters and confessed to carrying out the attack. Governor Shapiro, a high-profile Democrat often mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, later thanked first responders, saying, “Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished.”

Pennsylvania man pleads guilty for firebombing governor Josh Shapiro’s home; gets up to 50 years in jail

A Pennsylvania man has admitted to attempting to kill Governor Josh Shapiro by firebombing his official residence earlier this year. Cody Balmer, 38, pleaded guilty on Tuesday (October 14) to multiple charges, including attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, and 22 counts of arson—each representing a person endangered during the attack. Under a plea agreement, he faces a prison term ranging from 25 to 50 years, prosecutors announced. Balmer confessed to police that he was driven by “hatred” toward the Democratic governor. On the first night of Passover in April, he hurled a Molotov cocktail at the governor’s Georgian-style mansion in Harrisburg, where Shapiro was celebrating with friends and family. When asked by investigators what he would have done had he encountered Shapiro inside, Balmer chillingly replied that he “would have beaten him with his hammer.” Also Read: ‘Plot twist no one asked for’: Meloni’s viral expressions at Gaza peace summit sparks buzz online | WATCH Governor Shapiro and his family were inside the home at the time, though the fire broke out in a separate section of the building. They were awakened around 2 a.m. by a state trooper who knocked on their door, and they were safely evacuated. No injuries were reported, but the mansion sustained significant damage. Also Read: IMF forecasts India’s GDP growth to 6.6% for 2025 despite US tariff concerns Surveillance footage showed Balmer scaling the perimeter fence, smashing windows, and throwing gasoline-filled beer bottles before entering and igniting another firebomb. He later fled the scene. An ex-partner tipped off authorities, saying Balmer wanted to surrender. He subsequently walked into a state police headquarters and confessed to carrying out the attack. Governor Shapiro, a high-profile Democrat often mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, later thanked first responders, saying, “Thank God no one was injured and the fire was extinguished.”

Cody Balmer pleaded guilty to attempted murder and arson for firebombing Governor Josh Shapiro’s home, receiving a 25–50 year prison sentence

Investigators in the United States revealed that they have nabbed a 29-year-old man after collecting DNA from a partially eaten burrito, which has linked him to the 2022 Mother's Day firebombing of an anti-abortion group in Wisconsin.&nbsp;

The man has been charged with one felony count of attempting to cause damage by means of fire or an explosive. When the attack&nbsp;took place, no one from the group was in the office and no injuries were reported.&nbsp;

The office of the United States attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin in Madison noted that the man, identified as Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury, was arrested on Tuesday (March 28) at the Logan International Airport in Boston.&nbsp;

Matthew G Olsen, who is the assistant attorney general of the national security division of the Justice Department, said in a statement: "According to the complaint, Mr. Roychowdhury used an incendiary device in violation of federal law in connection with his efforts to terrorise and intimidate a private organisation."

Olsen commended the "commitment and professionalism" of law enforcement personnel who worked exhaustively to ensure that justice is served.&nbsp;

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<h2>How the DNA was collected?&nbsp;</h2>

The court documents mentioned the complaint, which divulged details of the case. Last year on Mother's Day, May 8, officials responded to an active fire at an office building located in Madison, Wisconsin early in the morning.&nbsp;

Once they were inside the building, they observed a mason jar under a broken window. The jar was broken, and the lid and screw top was burned black.&nbsp;

The court document revealed that police also saw a purple disposable lighter near the mason jar and on the opposite wall from the window, the police saw another mason jar with the lid on and a blue cloth tucked into the top. They said that the cloth was singed. The jar was about half full of a clear fluid that smelled like an accelerant.&nbsp;

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During the investigation, law enforcement collected DNA from the scene of the attack.&nbsp;

The officials&nbsp;identified Roychowdhury as a possible suspect in March this year and asked the local police officers to observe him. &nbsp;

They recovered the leftover food and related items when Roychowdhury disposed of the food in a public trash can and collected DNA from the food. Court documents state that the "law enforcement retrieved the bag from the trash. The contents of the bag included a quarter portion of a partially-eaten burrito wrapped in waxed paper."&nbsp;

The forensic biologist found the sample from the trash can was matching with the DNA evidence recovered from the attack scene.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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Investigators in the United States revealed that they have nabbed a 29-year-old man after collecting DNA from a partially eaten burrito, which has linked him to the 2022 Mother's Day firebombing of an anti-abortion group in Wisconsin.

Investigators in the United States revealed that they have nabbed a 29-year-old man after collecting DNA from a partially eaten burrito, which has linked him to the 2022 Mother's Day firebombing of an anti-abortion group in Wisconsin. The man has been charged with one felony count of attempting to cause damage by means of fire or an explosive. When the attack took place, no one from the group was in the office and no injuries were reported. The office of the United States attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin in Madison noted that the man, identified as Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury, was arrested on Tuesday (March 28) at the Logan International Airport in Boston. Matthew G Olsen, who is the assistant attorney general of the national security division of the Justice Department, said in a statement: "According to the complaint, Mr. Roychowdhury used an incendiary device in violation of federal law in connection with his efforts to terrorise and intimidate a private organisation." Olsen commended the "commitment and professionalism" of law enforcement personnel who worked exhaustively to ensure that justice is served. ALSO READ | Amazon warns customers about frequently returned products: Reports How the DNA was collected? The court documents mentioned the complaint, which divulged details of the case. Last year on Mother's Day, May 8, officials responded to an active fire at an office building located in Madison, Wisconsin early in the morning. Once they were inside the building, they observed a mason jar under a broken window. The jar was broken, and the lid and screw top was burned black. The court document revealed that police also saw a purple disposable lighter near the mason jar and on the opposite wall from the window, the police saw another mason jar with the lid on and a blue cloth tucked into the top. They said that the cloth was singed. The jar was about half full of a clear fluid that smelled like an accelerant. WATCH | United Nations seeks court clarity on Climate change obligations × During the investigation, law enforcement collected DNA from the scene of the attack. The officials identified Roychowdhury as a possible suspect in March this year and asked the local police officers to observe him. They recovered the leftover food and related items when Roychowdhury disposed of the food in a public trash can and collected DNA from the food. Court documents state that the "law enforcement retrieved the bag from the trash. The contents of the bag included a quarter portion of a partially-eaten burrito wrapped in waxed paper." The forensic biologist found the sample from the trash can was matching with the DNA evidence recovered from the attack scene. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

How a half-eaten burrito led to arrest of suspect charged with firebombing in US

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