A quiet San Jose neighborhood was jolted awake after a fiery act of vandalism left a local post office charred and in chaos. Now, police say the man responsible is none other than Richard Tillman—brother of Pat Tillman, the former NFL star who gave his life in service to the country.

According to law enforcement, the incident unfolded around 3 a.m. when Tillman, 44, allegedly drove his car straight through the front of the Crown Boulevard post office in Almaden Valley. Once inside, he reportedly set the building on fire. Firefighters battled the blaze for over an hour before finally extinguishing it. The damage was extensive, and residents now say they have no idea where their mail is—or when it will return.

“I guess I’m going to come see if the mailman comes to my house,” said Tom Gerber, a local resident. “I don’t know if we’ll get mail today or not.”

But the most puzzling part of the crime isn’t just the destruction—it’s the cryptic message spray-painted onto the post office wall: “Viva La Me.” Authorities confirmed that this vandalism appeared only after the attack and are investigating its meaning.

Postal Inspector Matthew Norfleet confirmed the case is being treated as a potential arson and possibly premeditated. “Driving the vehicle into the building and then starting the fire can’t be ruled out as having been done on purpose,” Norfleet said. “We’re definitely investigating it as possibly an intentional act.”

Video from the scene, which authorities say Tillman may have live-streamed, showed belongings strewn near the wreckage—including a photo of his late brother, Pat Tillman. Witnesses noted the image appeared to hold sentimental value for Richard. One local, Gladys Huerta, reflected on Pat’s legacy: “I remember reading about Pat Tillman, and I come from a family of a lot of military people, so his story impacted me.”

Pat Tillman became a national symbol of sacrifice when he left his lucrative NFL career to enlist in the U.S. Army following the 9/11 attacks. He was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 in a friendly fire incident, and the government later faced intense scrutiny over how it handled the aftermath.

Now, his brother is sitting behind bars at the Santa Clara County Jail with no bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday to face arson and vandalism charges, and possibly more depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

The tragedy of the Tillman family is well known—but this incident introduces a strange and sad new chapter. Richard’s alleged actions raise questions about his mental state and motivations, especially given the symbolic connection between his family history and the desecration of a federal facility.

As for the phrase “Viva La Me”—a bizarre twist on the revolutionary slogan “Viva La Raza” or “Viva La Revolución”—its full meaning remains unclear. Whether it was a message, a cry for help, or simply senseless graffiti remains to be seen.

Authorities have not released any motive, but the strange circumstances of the case have sparked wide speculation. Did Richard Tillman plan this act as a political statement, or was it the desperate outburst of a man weighed down by his family’s legacy?

For now, the neighborhood is left without a post office and with more questions than answers. And a family once revered for its patriotic sacrifice is again in the headlines—this time, for all the wrong reasons.