Federal prosecutors in California brought arson charges against Richard Tillman, the younger brother of NFL player and fallen war hero Pat Tillman, for burning down a San Jose post office to “make a statement to the U.S. government.”
Officials charged Mr. Tillman, 44, with malicious destruction by fire for allegedly torching the postal building this month by backing his car into its facade and starting the blaze.
He filled his car with instant fire logs and coated them in lighter fluid before tossing a match into the vehicle early on July 20, according to court documents.
Mr. Tillman admitted to igniting the fire to San Jose police, according to the filing, and told responding officers he did so because he was trying to send a message to the federal government.
Mr. Tillman also admitted to livestreaming the crime and tagging the building with graffiti that said “Viva La Me,” but said he couldn’t finish what he wanted to write because the flames became too intense.
Prosecutors said Mr. Tillman is being held in federal custody until his court date on Wednesday.
In state court, a Santa Clara County judge ordered Mr. Tillman to undergo a competency evaluation after the defendant had several strange outbursts during a hearing last week.
For example, Mr. Tillman openly mocked his public defender when the judge was discussing his mental state.
The judge postponed further proceedings in the case against Mr. Tillman until Aug. 15 to see if he’s fit enough to stand trial.
Kevin Tillman, the middle brother, said Richard struggled for years with mental health issues before the crash and blaze that destroyed the post office.
“He has been livestreaming, what I’ll call, his altered self on social media for anyone to witness,” Kevin Tillman told KNTV. “Unfortunately, securing the proper care and support for him has proven incredibly difficult — or rather, impossible. As a result, none of this is as shocking as it should be. We have nothing further to add at this time.”
It took firefighters more than an hour to extinguish the flames at the federal building. Postal Inspector Matthew Norfleet said all mail inside the office was lost in the fire.
Authorities said they found a photo of Pat Tillman near the burned-out car.
Pat Tillman became a folk hero after he left his career with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He deployed to Iraq during the initial U.S. invasion, returned home, became an Army Ranger, and then was redeployed to Afghanistan.
Tillman was killed by friendly fire in April 2004 while traversing a canyon near the border with Pakistan.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.