The man accused of setting fire to the home of the governor of the US state of Pennsylvania had mental health issues, his brother said, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
Thirty-eight-year-old Cody Ballmer set fire to the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro over the weekend. He scaled a metal fence and eluded police before setting the fire in the middle of the night.
Dan Ballmer, Cody's brother, told the Associated Press that Cody had been admitted to a mental health clinic twice because he suffered from bipolar disorder. Cody himself refused to admit this and did not take his medication.
According to Dan Shapiro, his brother had never been interested in politics in the past, but in 2024 he changed his mind and began urging his family to vote for Donald Trump.
The night before the Pennsylvania governor's mansion was set on fire, Cody Ballmer had a heated argument with his parents.
Ballmer was denied bail and was charged with attempted murder, terrorism, and arson. Ballmer did not file a plea deal.
The fire caused significant damage to Shapiro's property and forced the governor, his family, and his guests to leave the building in the early hours of Sunday.
Ballmer has been charged with other assaults and robberies in the past. He has also had financial problems.
Ballmer is the father of four children by two different women, who have claimed custody of them.