Officials said the late NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tilman’s brother was suspected of driving at South San Jose Post Office on Sunday morning.
The 6500 blocks of Crown Bulleward caught fire just before 3 pm. According to the San Jose Fire Department, a vehicle crashed in the post office and caught fire.
The arrested suspect was identified as 44 -year -old Richard Tilman, Pat, according to the US Post Inspector Matthew Norflet.
Pat Tilman played four seasons with Arizona Cardinals before leaving NFL and joining the army in 2002. On April 22, 2004, he was killed in Afghanistan at the age of 27. The army had originally told its family that he was killed by the enemy’s fire when he charged on a hill to protect his fellow rangers. He later admitted that he was really Friends killed by fire,
Officials alleged that Richard deliberately reverse a vehicle in the lobby of Almden Station Post Office, then set the building on fire. The post office is now considered a total loss.
“It certainly seems like a possibility that this fire was intentionally set,” Norfet said. “Why would anyone do this, as I said, is beyond the explanation.”
Federal postal investigators stated that Richard had a spray-paint on the outer of the building. “Viva la” is Spanish for “long live”, but officials said that the meaning of the full phrase is not clear.
“As far as the message means, it is a very unanswered question,” Norfate said. “We all know the tragic events with Pat Tilman and there is nothing but respect for his family. This raises more questions than the answer.”
CBS News Bay Area attempted to reach Mary Tilman, the mother of both Pat and Richard, but failed. A family friend confirmed that Mary had shifted her San Jose house to Arizona about two months ago after selling, which was located just four miles from the destroyed post office.
Tilman is scheduled to appear in court in the afternoon on Wednesday.
The purpose of the attack is under investigation.
The fire department said that after a second alarm was called, about 50 firefighters were sent to the spot, and the fire was knocked around 4:30 am.
The USPS said the PO box customer and notice-left mail that uses Almden Station
Customers will require a photo ID for all mail pick-ups.
