Fact Check: A man with a history of mental illness, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, has been charged with breaking in and setting fire to a dining room at the Governor’s Residence.

Fact Check: "A man with a history of mental illness, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, has been charged with breaking in and setting fire to a dining room at the Governor’s Residence."

What We Know

Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old man, has been charged with multiple offenses, including arson, attempted murder, and terrorism, after he allegedly broke into the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence and set a fire early on April 13, 2025. Reports indicate that Balmer scaled an iron security fence and used Molotov cocktails to ignite the fire while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were inside the residence, prompting an emergency evacuation (AP News, BBC).

Balmer's family has publicly stated that he has struggled with mental health issues, including a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. His brother mentioned that Balmer had been treated at a psychiatric hospital twice in recent years, and had recently stopped taking his medication (NBC News, Spotlight PA).

The incident caused significant damage to the residence, and authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack, which may be linked to Balmer's mental health struggles and his expressed hatred towards Governor Shapiro (CBS News, Fox29).

Analysis

The claim that Cody Balmer has a history of mental illness and has been charged with arson at the Governor's Residence is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press and other news outlets confirm that Balmer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had been treated at psychiatric facilities (AP News, Spotlight PA). His brother's testimony adds personal context to the claim, indicating that Balmer's mental health had deteriorated prior to the incident, which aligns with reports of erratic behavior leading up to the fire (NBC News, CBS News).

The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they include established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The information is corroborated by multiple outlets, including the BBC and NBC, which further strengthens the credibility of the claims regarding Balmer's mental health history and the charges against him (BBC, NBC News).

However, it is important to note that while mental illness is a significant aspect of Balmer's background, the motivations behind his actions are still under investigation. Authorities have not definitively linked his mental health issues to the specific intent behind the arson, although they are exploring this angle (CBS News, Fox29).

Conclusion

The claim that Cody Balmer, a man with a history of mental illness, has been charged with breaking into and setting fire to the dining room at the Governor’s Residence is True. Multiple credible sources confirm both his mental health struggles and the charges against him, including serious offenses related to the arson incident.

Fact Check: A man with a history of mental illness, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, has been charged with breaking in and setting fire to a dining room at the Governor’s Residence.