Tag:
Firebombing
Fitchburg, MA
Police & Fire
Fitchburg Man Sentenced To Life For 2013 Killing Of Former Roommate: DA
A Western Massachusetts man will spend life in prison for killing his former roommate more than a decade ago. John Yang, 44, of Fitchburg, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years on Tuesday, Nov. 4, for the 2013 killing of 33-year-old Shaun Hibbard, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. A Worcester County jury found Yang guilty of second-degree murder last month after a multi-day trial. Police said Hibbard was shot just after 4 a.m. Aug. 3, 2013, on Forest Street in Fitchburg. Officers and state police detectives fou…
Harrisburg, PA
News
‘Irritable And Agitated’: Cody Balmer’s Mom Sought Help Days Before Governor’s Mansion Arson
Days before the firebombing at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence, the mother of accused arsonist Cody Balmer pleaded with police, fearing her son was suffering from a mental health breakdown, Penbrook police announced in a release on Tuesday, April 15. On April 10 — just three days before the Molotov cocktail attack that forced Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family to evacuate — Balmer’s mother, Christie, contacted the Penbrook Police Department to report that her son had left home without explanation. She told officers that she believed he stopped taking his medications about a year ago and …
Harrisburg, PA
News
Hospitalized After Confessing: Cody Balmer Admits Firebombing PA Governor’s Mansion
The man accused of firebombing Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Residence while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family slept has been hospitalized for a medical event, authorities announced on Monday, April 14. Cody Allen Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, remains under Pennsylvania State Police supervision while receiving treatment at an area hospital. Officials said the medical episode was unrelated to the fire or his arrest. Balmer will be arraigned at Dauphin County Prison once he is cleared for release, state police said. A surveillance video captured Balmer climbing over a wall onto the Governor’s Residen…
West Grove-Avondale, PA
News
West Grove Molotov Cocktail Arson Suspect Waives Hearing In Chester County: DA
A West Grove man accused of chucking a Molotov cocktail inside a Chester County business while people were still inside — then trying to carjack two vehicles — is heading to trial. Agustin Cisneros-Bedolla, 42, waived his preliminary hearing on Friday, March 21, nearly three weeks after prosecutors say he set a fire that could have killed employees at a bakery in London Grove Township. According to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, the firebombing happened at Squire’s Pantry on Gap Newport Pike just after Cisneros-Bedolla bought a lighter and gum on Saturday, March 1. He left …
Elkton, MD
Police & Fire
Accused Arsonist Firebombed Maryland Home With Molotov Cocktail: Fire Marshal
An alleged arsonist who firebombed a Cecil County home is facing attempted murder and other charges following an incident in March, the Maryland Fire Marshal announced on Tuesday. Christopher J. Shivery, 41, was arrested on June 11 following a months-long investigation into a North East house fire that was intentionally set by a "Molotov cocktail," officials say. Shortly before 10 p.m. on March 2, Maryland State Police troopers were called to the 1290 block of Old Philadelphia Road when the homeowners saw a flash outside their window and found flames burning outside. Fire investigators lat…
Drexel Hill-Upper Darby, PA
Police & Fire
Philly Firebombing Suspect In Police Custody: Report
Authorities in Philadelphia have arrested a man suspected of "firebombing a rowhome" near Temple University on Tuesday, Nov. 15, according to a report by 6ABC. Citing "law enforcement sources," the outlet writes that police believe the suspect is also responsible for vandalizing "several" cars. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, And Explosives (ATF) expects to bring him up on charges soon, they added. As Daily Voice has reported, Philadelphia officials suspected arson in at least two fires in November — a blaze on Trinity Street on Nov. 16 that sent two child…
Springfield, MA
News
Hampden County Man Sentenced For Placing Firebomb At Jewish Nursing Home, Lying To FBI
A Western Massachusetts man will spend years behind bars after being sentenced for placing a lit firebomb at the entrance of a Jewish nursing home and lying to the FBI about it, federal authorities announced. Hampden County resident John Rathbun, age 37, of East Longmeadow, has been sentenced to five years in prison and three years of supervised release after being convicted by a federal jury for attempting to bomb the facility on April 2, 2020, and later lying to investigators about his whereabouts that day. US Attorney Rachael Robbins said that on the morning of April 2, 2020, Rathbun ass…
