In the early hours of Sunday, July 20, a car crashed into the Almaden Valley Post Office in south San Jose, triggering a major fire that severely damaged the federal facility. The crash, which occurred around 3:00 a.m., led to a swift emergency response involving over 50 firefighters, who managed to control the blaze by 4:30 a.m.
No injuries were reported, but officials confirmed that most of the mail inside was likely destroyed. The building has since been closed, with PO Box services rerouted to the Willow Glen Post Office as recovery and investigation efforts begin.
The San Jose Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and local fire investigators are working together to determine the cause of the crash and fire.Richard Tillman, a spokesperson involved in the investigation, stated that graffiti found at the scene has been logged as evidence, though its relevance to the crime remains unclear.
Richard Tillman, Brother of Pat Tillman, Held Without Bail for Suspected Arson
Authorities identified the suspect as 44-year-old Richard Tillman, younger brother of the late NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman. Richard allegedly drove the vehicle into the post office and claimed to have live-streamed the crash. brother was arrested on-site and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of arson. As of now, he is being held without bail.
Eyewitnesses described hearing explosions and witnessing the building engulfed in flames. “It was terrifying. I heard a boom and saw black smoke and fire,” said a local resident, Heather Roberts.
According to investigators, the crash appeared to be deliberate. Surveillance footage and Richard’s own social media activity are now key elements of the ongoing investigation. Prosecutors are expected to review evidence before formal charges are filed this week.
Public Reacts to a Troubling Turn in the Tillman Family Story
The arrest has reignited public interest in the Tillman family, particularly because of Pat Tillman’s iconic legacy. A former NFL safety, Pat left professional football after the 9/11 attacks to join the U.S. Army. He was later killed in Afghanistan in 2004, a tragedy marred by a controversial friendly-fire incident.
Richard Tillman, known for his blunt criticism of the military’s handling of his brother’s death, gained media attention in 2004 for rejecting religious comfort during Pat’s memorial. In recent years, he has shifted focus to writing and storytelling, publishing children’s books centered around empathy and inclusion.
The stark contrast between Richard’s public advocacy and his recent arrest has shocked many. While the legal process unfolds, questions loom about his motivations, mental state, and the broader impact of grief on public figures.
As mail services resume elsewhere and investigators comb through evidence, the community remains rattled by an act of destruction tied so closely to a once-revered American family.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/san-jose-post-office-fire-crown-boulevard
