Cody Balmer, the man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence, told 911 operators he targeted the governor in part because of what he believed were Shapiro’s views on the war in Gaza, according to search warrants released Wednesday.


The warrants, first reported by news site PennLive, say Balmer called 911 early Sunday after the fire and said Shapiro, who is Jewish, needs to know he “will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.”


Balmer also told 911 operators Shapiro needed to “stop having my friends killed,” and that “our people have been put through too much by that monster,” the documents say.The release of the warrants come as authorities continue to probe the 38-year-old suspect’s background in search for a motive. Law enforcement officials have not conclusively said Balmer’s alleged attack was motivated by hate or antisemitism, though the Dauphin County district attorney has indicated investigators are looking at that possibility.


One source familiar with the investigation told CNN earlier this week investigators believe mental health issues may be a factor: Officials were struck by how casual and relaxed the suspect was throughout the ordeal, the source said. At that time, the source said there was not yet an indication antisemitism was a factor in the incident but the investigation into Balmer and his motives remained ongoing.


But the alleged statements to 911 demonstrate “Balmer’s political motivation for his conduct,” police wrote. Collectively, the warrants indicate authorities have seized several smartphones, a laptop and a buccal swab containing a sample of Balmer’s DNA.