NFL star Pat Tillman's brother set for mental competency evaluation prior to trial following collision incident
In an unexpected turn of events, Richard Tillman, the brother of the late NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman, has been arrested and charged with arson following an incident at the Almaden Valley Station Post Office in San José, California. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on a Sunday in July 2025, in a San José strip mall.
According to reports, Tillman, 44 years old and a resident of San José, allegedly rammed a car into the post office, causing a fire that damaged the building. The fire was promptly extinguished, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. The authorities are investigating the act as potentially intentional[1][3][4].
Tillman was booked on arson charges and held on a $60,000 bond, with a court hearing scheduled shortly after the incident. The San Jose Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are leading the investigation, with the motive still under examination[1][3].
Family statements indicate that Richard has had longstanding severe mental health issues, which may provide context for the incident. Prior to the event, he was posting alarming live videos on social media, referring to himself as a god and suggesting unspecified future actions; these videos were later removed by YouTube[3].
Tillman's criminal history is not without blemish, with previous charges related to vandalism, robbery, and drug possession[2]. This suggests a troubled personal history preceding this most recent case.
In court, Tillman waived at television cameras as he entered the courtroom, handcuffed. He also continued livestreaming a video of the fire on YouTube during his interrogation by a San Jose police officer. Tillman has since stated that he doesn't want his court-appointed defense attorney, calling him "incompetent."
The Tillman family, who are from the San Jose area, have found it difficult to secure proper care and support for Richard Tillman. They have released a statement expressing relief that no one was injured in the incident, but also expressing concern for Richard's wellbeing[1].
The Tillman family's statement also acknowledged Richard's longstanding mental health issues, stating that he has been battling these issues for many years. This tragic situation unfolds against the shadow of Pat Tillman's celebrated legacy, with authorities and family responding cautiously to the unfolding legal and mental health issues[1][3].
In a surprising twist, it was also revealed that Richard's brother, Kevin Tillman, also left his Major League Baseball career with the Anaheim Angels to serve in the military, following in his brother's footsteps[5].
The case remains under active investigation, with no definitive motive publicly released yet[1]. The judge has set bail at $135,000 and ordered a competency test for Tillman[1][4].
[1] San Jose Mercury News [2] San Francisco Chronicle [3] CNN [4] ABC News [5] ESPN
- The incident at the Almaden Valley Station Post Office involved mental health, as Richard Tillman, the brother of the late NFL player Pat Tillman, was reported to have severe mental health issues.
- The case of Richard Tillman, the San José resident charged with arson, is intertwined with lifestyle and relationship issues, as his social media posts referenced unspecified future actions and he dismissed his court-appointed defense attorney.
- The recent arrest and charges against Richard Tillman, although primarily a crime-and-justice matter, also touches upon health-and-wellness and family-dynamics, as the Tillman family has found it difficult to provide proper care and support for Richard, and his mental health history is a significant factor in the case.
- General-news outlets, such as the San Jose Mercury News, CNN, ABC News, and ESPN, are closely following the legal proceedings and documenting the unfolding story, as the investigation continues and a competency test is ordered for Tillman.
