Josh Shapiro Arson Suspect ‘Hated’ Him, Planned to Beat Him With a Hammer: Report

The man accused of firebombing Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home with Molotov cocktails on the first night of Passover on Sunday told police he “hated” the Democrat and would’ve beaten him with a hammer he was carrying if he’d gotten the chance.

Cody Balmer, 38, now faces a battery of serious charges including terrorism, aggravated arson, criminal homicide, and aggravated assault.

According to documents obtained by The New York Post, Balmer walked an hour from his home to the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg early Sunday, carrying two Heineken bottles filled with gasoline he’d siphoned from a lawn mower. He allegedly scaled a perimeter fence, smashed two windows with a hammer, and hurled the homemade firebombs inside.

Shapiro and his family were asleep inside at the time but escaped and were not injured. Photos released after the attack show a charred piano in the living room and fire damage throughout the residence.

“He clearly had a plan,” said Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police. “He was very methodical in his approach.”

While police have called the attack “targeted,” no political or ideological motive has been officially confirmed.

In a post-attack press conference, an emotional Shapiro addressed the threat against his family on a significant faith celebration.

“If he was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community… hear me on this: We celebrated our faith last night, proudly, and in a few hours, we will celebrate our second Seder of Passover,” Shapiro said.

Balmer’s mother told CBS her son is mentally ill and had gone off his medication. She said she contacted four police departments for help before the incident — but “couldn’t get anybody to help.”

Watch above via Fox News.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified Shapiro as Pennsylvania’s first Jewish governor.