Fact Check: "The alleged arsonist said part of his motivation was Shapiro’s support for Israel."
What We Know
The claim that the alleged arsonist, Cody Balmer, stated part of his motivation for attacking Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was due to Shapiro's support for Israel is supported by multiple sources. According to a report from The Washington Post, Balmer indicated in a 911 call that he was motivated by his views on the Israel-Gaza conflict and believed Shapiro needed to stop the killing of Palestinians. This assertion was also corroborated by a search warrant, which detailed Balmer's statements regarding Shapiro's actions and policies towards Palestinians (source-2, source-3).
Balmer's motivations were further elaborated in the search warrant, where he expressed that he would not support Shapiro's plans for the Palestinian people, highlighting his discontent with the governor's political stance (source-5, source-6). The incident occurred shortly after a large Passover seder hosted by the Shapiro family, which adds a contextual layer to the timing of the attack (source-2).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim comes from reliable news sources that have reported on the incident and the motivations expressed by Balmer. The Washington Post, ABC News, and other outlets have provided consistent accounts of Balmer's statements, which were documented in police reports and search warrants (source-1, source-2, source-3). These sources are reputable and have a history of journalistic integrity, which adds credibility to their reporting.
However, it is important to note that Balmer's mental health issues may have influenced his actions and statements. Reports indicate that he struggled with untreated mental illness, which could complicate the interpretation of his motivations (source-2, source-8). While his statements reflect a clear connection to Shapiro's political stance on Israel, the broader context of his mental health must be considered when evaluating the full implications of his motivations.
Conclusion
The claim that the alleged arsonist said part of his motivation was Shapiro’s support for Israel is True. Multiple credible sources confirm that Balmer explicitly linked his actions to Shapiro's political views regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. While his mental health issues may provide additional context, they do not negate the fact that he articulated this motivation during the incident.
Sources
- Gov. Josh Shapiro on antisemitism and Trump's ' ... Washington Post
- Suspect who targeted Shapiro cited views on Palestinians ... Washington Post
- Alleged arsonist targeted Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ... ABC News
- Pro-Israel Stance Sparks Arson YouTube
- Warrant: Arsonist targeted Penn. governor over his 'plans ... Times of Israel
- Gov. Shapiro targeted over views on Gaza in arson attack USA Today
- What to know about Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and ... WHYY
- Arson suspect was angry with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh ... NBC News
