What Made this Common Man Destroy $7 Million Worth of Properties Fearlessly?
The tragic story of just a simple shopkeeper.
Marvin Heemeyer established a prime example of not to mess with a commoner. With his makeshift bulldozer-tank, he caused $7 million worth of damage.
In 2004 Heemeyer was forced to plow through the tiny town. His motivation? A zoning dispute. When big sharks in the capitalist market and government authorities fail to protect an ordinary person’s rights, this is what does not usually happen — destruction for all. Instead, a commoner is silenced, but Heemeyer proved the power of a commoner.
A concrete company decided to build a plant on Heemyer’s property, and the city’s zoning commission sidelined the party, leaving Heemyer helpless.
The concrete company rightfully purchased a piece of land, but their construction plan seemed to block Heemeyer’s shop. The city’s zoning commission approved the construction of the new facility despite Heemeryer’s arguments.
Taking rational actions, Heemeyer filed petitions requesting the prevention of rezoning. He earned nothing but rejections — that too multiple times. Instead of getting heard, he, numerous times, got charged with civil violation fines.
Having made up his mind for larger vengeance, Heemeyer worked in silence for a year in the back of his shop’s yard, preparing a Komatsu D355A bulldozer. The customized “Killdozer” owned a three-inch bullet-proof plastic for protecting the cameras installed to ease navigation. Further, it was outfitted with thick steel plate armor and three makeshift gun ports housing different rifles.
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It was the time of action when Heemeyer sealed himself inside and drove the Killdozer across the town. His entire journey of destruction in the city was calculative.
Starting from the very concrete plant that stood next to his shop, he continued plowing the city hall, newspaper offers, mayor’s home, and other properties accountable for his revengeful state.
Killdozer in Colorado made headlines. The town was put on red alert, with residents warned of maintaining a distance from Heemeyer’s destructive toy.
It precisely took colorado two hours and seven minutes to finish off his vengeance business with the parties involved. Destructing the places associated with his case amounted to the loss of $7 million.
Heemyer’s Fate
Havoc mounted — to the extent that Colorado governor authorized the officials to use Apache helicopters and an anti-tank missile for attacking Heemeyer.
The authorizing process got a bit late, as the Heemeyer rampage ended when trying to plow the hardware store. Store’s surface entrapped one of the vehicle’s tread, halting it right there.
The machine could not get freed. Heemyer’s pulled a handgun, shooting himself on the head.
Later investigations proved two things: Heemyer didn’t plan any escape, and he designed his shooting. The sealed cockpit ensured he wouldn’t get out alive.
Isn’t it being beyond courageous to lock yourself in a space, knowing it is your last abode on the earth?
Marvin Heemeyer, ‘Killdozer’ & his planning
Another fact investigations established was regarding perfect detailed planning. The presence of two elaborated lists outlining the 13 properties of destruction and names of several people associated, like small business owners and town’s mayor, proved a thoughtful master scheme.
Interestingly, no person was hurt in the process — it was just the properties of oppressors. Heemyer hurt no one except himself, but the legend established never to underestimate the power of a commoner.
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