According to an affidavit filed by Pennsylvania State Police, Balmer allegedly called Dauphin County 911 on April 13 around 2:50 a.m., nearly an hour after the fire at the Governor’s Residence.
During the 911 dispatch call, State Police say Balmer identified himself and related that Shapiro needs to know that he “…will not take part in his plans for whatever he wants to do to the Palestinian people.”
The affidavit shows Balmer continued to say he needs to stop having friends killed and “…our people have been put through too much by that monster” and that “all he has is a banquet hall to clean up.”
Balmer also told officials he would confess to the arson attack on the Governor’s Residence and “admitted to harboring hatred toward Governor Shapiro.”
Investigators seized four smartphones, a laptop, and an external hard drive as part of the investigation. A search warrant was filed for writing that contains references to Josh Shapiro, Gaza, Palestine, or the conflict in Gaza. Investigators noted a storage locker in Pennbrook Borough as part of the search warrant, but noted nothing was found.
Balmer’s family has said he was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, however, police would not assist them with getting Balmer help. Penbrook Police confirmed Tuesday that Balmer’s mother had contacted them but that the situation did not meet the standards for emergency psychiatric evaluation.
Officials say Balmer scaled a fence at the Governor’s Residence, smashed a window, and tossed a lit beer bottle filled with gasoline inside. He then entered through a second window and threw another Molotov Cocktail inside the dining room.
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES – APRIL 13: A view of the damage after an arsonist sets fire to the Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in a targeted attack in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States on April 13, 2025. Governor Josh Shapiro held a press conference later in the day to address the incident and reassure the public. At approximately 2:00 a.m., the Harrisburg Fire Department responded to a fire at the Governor’s Residence, located on North Front Street in Harrisburg City, Dauphin County. Crews quickly contained and extinguished the fire, which damaged a portion of the historic residence. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES – APRIL 13: A view of the damage after an arsonist sets fire to the Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in a targeted attack in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States on April 13, 2025. Governor Josh Shapiro held a press conference later in the day to address the incident and reassure the public. At approximately 2:00 a.m., the Harrisburg Fire Department responded to a fire at the Governor’s Residence, located on North Front Street in Harrisburg City, Dauphin County. Crews quickly contained and extinguished the fire, which damaged a portion of the historic residence. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES – APRIL 13: A view of the damage after an arsonist sets fire to the Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in a targeted attack in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States on April 13, 2025. Governor Josh Shapiro held a press conference later in the day to address the incident and reassure the public. At approximately 2:00 a.m., the Harrisburg Fire Department responded to a fire at the Governor’s Residence, located on North Front Street in Harrisburg City, Dauphin County. Crews quickly contained and extinguished the fire, which damaged a portion of the historic residence. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
A charred piano, left, is visible inside the Pennsylvania governor’s official residence after a man was arrested in the alleged arson that forced Gov. Shapiro, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, Apr. 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
Charred tables and dishes are visible inside the Pennsylvania governor’s official residence after a man was arrested in an alleged arson that forced Gov. Shapiro, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, Apr. 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
The aftermath of a fire can be seen at Pennsylvania governor’s official residence in Harrisburg, Pa., Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.
Shapiro’s family celebrated the first night of the Jewish holiday Passover hours before the fire in the dining room.
Shapiro was sleeping inside the residence at the time and was awoken by State Police and firefighters around 2 a.m. Everyone inside the home evacuated safely.
Clean up at the residence is underway with Harriburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline estimating the damage to be in the millions of dollars. A state museum official told abc27 that some artifacts inside the home would be removed after sustaining heat and smoke damage.
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