URGENT UPDATE: Richard Tillman, the brother of late NFL star and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman, has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a fiery crash into a post office in San Jose, California, early this morning. The incident unfolded shortly after 3 a.m. when a car crashed into the Almaden Valley Station Post Office, igniting a blaze that engulfed the building.
Authorities confirm that Richard Tillman, aged 44, has been booked into the Santa Clara County Jail. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service reported no injuries but stated that the fire was promptly extinguished by the San Jose Fire Department.
Federal investigators are probing the scene for clues, including spray-painted words found on the post office’s exterior and claims that the crash was live-streamed. The connection between the graffiti and the incident remains unclear, raising questions about Tillman’s state of mind at the time of the crash.
Officials are also determining whether Richard Tillman was impaired during the incident. The ABC News team has reached out to the Pat Tillman Foundation for comments, but there has been no response from the family yet.
This shocking turn of events comes in the wake of Pat Tillman’s heroic legacy, as he suspended his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the Army following the September 11 attacks. He was tragically killed by friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan in 2004.
Investigators urge anyone with information to contact postal inspectors at 877-876-2455. As this story develops, more details are expected to emerge about the motivations behind the crash and the implications for the Tillman family. Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
