Pat Tillman’s Brother Arrested After Crashing Into California Post Office Following NFL Player’s Death

The family of former NFL player and war hero Pat Tillman announced on Monday that his brother, Richard Tillman, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly driving into a post office in California. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. in San Jose, resulting in damage to the building and potentially destroying some mail, though thankfully, no one was injured.

Richard Tillman, aged 44 and a resident of San Jose, is currently being held on a $60,000 bail, according to Santa Clara County inmate records. The San Jose police report that he was arrested on suspicion of arson.

Fire officials noted that the collision seemed to ignite a fire at the post office, which was extinguished approximately 90 minutes after the initial crash. In a statement released to the media, Kevin Tillman confirmed that the suspect is indeed his brother.

He expressed relief that there were no injuries and also acknowledged Richard’s ongoing struggles with mental health issues. Kevin stated that Richard has been battling severe mental challenges for many years, making it difficult for the family to secure appropriate care and support.

“Unfortunately, securing the proper care and support for him has proven incredibly difficult — or rather, impossible,” Kevin lamented, reflecting on the public displays of Richard’s difficulties evident in his livestreams. Richard Tillman is scheduled to appear in court regarding this matter on Wednesday.

It remains unclear whether he has secured legal counsel. The Pat Tillman Foundation has not responded to requests for comment on the situation.

Pat Tillman, who suspended his NFL career to enlist in the Army shortly after the 9/11 attacks, was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004 while providing cover for his fellow soldiers. He is remembered as a symbol of sacrifice and public service.