Brother of Late NFL Player Pat Tillman Arrested in Arson Attack on South San Jose Post Office

The family of Pat Tillman, the late NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, has been embroiled in a shocking scandal after the brother of the slain soldier, Richard Tillman, was arrested for allegedly driving into a South San Jose post office and setting it on fire. The incident occurred early Sunday morning on the 6500 block of Crown Boulevard, and about 50 firefighters were sent to the scene after a second alarm was called. The post office is now considered a total loss.

Key Takeaways:

• Richard Tillman, 44, was arrested and charged with intentionally setting the fire at the Almaden Station Post Office in South San Jose.
• The FBI investigation found that Richard had spray-painted "Viva La Me" on the building's exterior, but the meaning of the phrase is unclear.
• Pat Tillman, a former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, was killed in Afghanistan in 2004, initially reported as a heroic death from enemy fire, but later revealed to be from friendly fire.
• The motive for Richard's attack remains under investigation.
• Pat Tillman's mother, Mary Tillman, relocated to Arizona two months ago after selling her San Jose home, located just four miles from the destroyed post office.
• Richard Tillman is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday at noon.
• The USPS will resume mail pick-up service at the post office on Tuesday, July 22, with hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Statistics:

• 50 firefighters were sent to the scene after a second alarm was called.
• The fire was knocked down around 4:30 a.m.
• The post office is considered a total loss.
• Pat Tillman played four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before leaving the NFL and enlisting in the Army in 2002.
• Pat Tillman was 27 years old when he was killed in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004.

Sources:

• KPIX News: "Suspect Identified in South San Jose Post Office Arson" by Da Lin.
• San Jose Fire Department: response to the fire at the Almaden Station Post Office.
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service: statement on the incident.
• CBS News Bay Area: statement from the USPS on mail pick-up services.