SAN JOSE, CA – In the early hours of Sunday, the Almaden Station Post Office in San Jose was engulfed in flames after a car crashed into the building. Authorities have identified the driver as Richard Tillman, the younger brother of the late NFL player and Army Ranger, Pat Tillman.
The incident occurred just before 3 a.m., and police suspect that after driving the car into the post office, Tillman started the fire. The cause behind these actions remains unclear, and investigators plan to revisit the site for further examination.
Residents near the post office reported being startled by a loud explosion. Heather and Shane Roberts, who live across the street, described seeing a man with long hair and a beard near the scene, appearing agitated and drinking a beer. They overheard him discussing a federal offense and mentioning former President Trump.
Emergency services responded swiftly. San Jose police arrested the 44-year-old Tillman, while approximately 50 firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. The post office suffered extensive damage and is considered a total loss.
The U.S. Postal Inspector is still investigating the motive. It appears that Tillman reversed the car into the building before setting it on fire. The word “Viva La” was reportedly scrawled on the front of the building, but its significance remains a mystery.
Richard Tillman, known for a brief acting career between 2003 and 2010, is the brother of Pat Tillman, who famously left the NFL to join the U.S. Army following the September 11 attacks and was later killed by friendly fire.
Locals expressed concern for Richard Tillman’s mental health, given the respect they hold for the Tillman family. The Roberts, who witnessed the aftermath, shared their unease about his state of mind during the incident.
Currently, Richard Tillman is being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. Attempts to reach Mary Tillman, the mother of Pat and Richard, have been unsuccessful. She recently relocated to Arizona after selling the family home near the scene.
The Almaden Station Post Office remains closed, with USPS advising customers to seek alternative mail services.