Marvin Heemeyer

American news figure (1951–2004)

Marvin John Heemeyer (October 28, 1951 – June 4, 2004) was an American welder and an automobile muffler repair shop owner. He destroyed many buildings with a custom bulldozer in Granby, Colorado on June 4, 2004.

Marvin Heemeyer
Born
Marvin John Heemeyer

(1951-10-28)October 28, 1951
DiedJune 4, 2004(2004-06-04) (aged 52)
Granby, Colorado, United States
Cause of deathSelf-inflicted gunshot wound
Occupation(s)Welder, automobile muffler repair shop owner
Known for"Killdozer" rampage

Heemeyer had feuded with Granby officials. This was happend over many fines for violating city health ordinances when he dumped sewage due to zoning disputes with neighbor.

His feud came to a head on June 4, 2004. Over about 18 months Heemeyer had secretly created a Komatsu D355A bulldozer by adding layers of steel and concrete, intended to serve as armor. He used this to demolish the Granby town hall, the former mayor's house, and several other buildings.[1]

Heemeyer's rampage ended with his suicide, after his bulldozer became trapped in the basement of a hardware store he had been in the process of destroying.[2]

References change

  1. Ingold, John; Brittany Anas; Howard Pankratz (June 6, 2004). "'Something snapped': Suspect called emotional, angry over rezoning fight". The Denver Post. pp. A01. 'He has threatened my husband's life,' resident Christie Baker recalled. 'He threatened my husband over a muffler.' Baker said she and her husband, Doug, had taken a truck to Heemeyer's shop, and he installed the wrong type of muffler on it. They refused to pay, and Christie Baker said they soon heard through word of mouth about Heemeyer's threat. They paid the $124 in cash, using an intermediary to give Heemeyer the money, she said.
  2. "Man who bulldozed through Colo. town is dead". NBC News. June 5, 2004. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2006.