Dauphin County officials reported that a 911 dispatcher did not properly escalate a call from Cody Balmer, the suspect in the arson at the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence. According to Chief Clerk Eric Hagarty, the dispatcher failed to follow county policy after Balmer admitted to setting the fire on Sunday (April 13).
Balmer, 38, allegedly used Molotov cocktails to ignite the fire, causing extensive damage to two rooms in the residence. Fortunately, Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were unharmed. During the call, Balmer expressed grievances against Governor Shapiro, claiming he had plans for the Palestinian people and was responsible for the deaths of Balmer's friends.
Hagarty emphasized that although the dispatcher's error did not result in further harm, it is being taken seriously and addressed internally. The dispatcher had received certified training from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
Balmer faces charges including attempted murder, terrorism, and aggravated arson. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 28. His mother revealed that Balmer struggles with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and she had sought help from the police before the incident.
WGAL, ABC27, and CBS 21 all reported on the incident, highlighting the need for improved response protocols in crisis situations.
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