Brother of Late NFL War Hero Pat Tillman Admits to Firebombing California Post Office

Richard Tillman pleaded guilty to charges of malicious destruction of government property after a July 2025 incident.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The brother of late NFL player and war hero Pat Tillman faces two years in prison after pleading guilty to firebombing a San Jose post office using his car over the summer. Richard Tillman, 44, drove his vehicle into the post office on Crown Boulevard around 3 a.m. on July 20, sparking a fire. Police charged Richard, whose family said he struggled with 'severe mental issues', after he spent more than six months in custody.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of supporting individuals with mental health issues, especially when they engage in criminal behavior that endangers public safety. The Tillman family has a long history of military service and public attention, making this a high-profile incident that raises questions about the criminal justice system's ability to properly address mental illness.

The details

Richard Tillman pleaded guilty to charges of malicious destruction of government property after the July 2025 incident. He was seen smiling while entering his plea, dressed in an all-yellow prison jumpsuit. His since-deleted YouTube page appeared to outline what he described as a mission to 'take down the whole system', including the US and what he referred to as the world government.

  • On July 20, 2025, Richard Tillman drove his vehicle into a San Jose post office around 3 a.m., sparking a fire.
  • Richard Tillman spent more than six months in custody before being charged by police.

The players

Richard Tillman

The 44-year-old brother of late NFL player and war hero Pat Tillman, who has struggled with severe mental health issues.

Pat Tillman

The late NFL player who left his career with the Arizona Cardinals to join the military, serving multiple tours of duty including in Afghanistan, where he was killed in a friendly fire incident in 2004 at the age of 27.

Kevin Tillman

The brother of Richard and Pat Tillman, who released a statement addressing Richard's actions and the family's efforts to secure proper care and support for him.

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What they’re saying

“To be clear, it's no secret that Richard has been battling severe mental health issues for many years. He has been livestreaming what I'll call his altered self on social media for anyone to witness. 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.”

— Kevin Tillman, Brother of Richard and Pat Tillman

“He's not with God. He's f--king dead. He's not religious. So thanks for your thoughts, but he's f--king dead.”

— Richard Tillman

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Richard Tillman out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of supporting individuals with mental health issues, especially when they engage in criminal behavior that endangers public safety. The Tillman family's history of military service and public attention makes this a high-profile incident that raises questions about the criminal justice system's ability to properly address mental illness.