Posted on 06/04/2026 6:05:31 AM PDT by T.B. Yoits
On June 4, 2004, Marvin Heemeyer used a homemade armored bulldozer to destroy 13 buildings in Granby, Colorado, during a 90-minute rampage that caused $7 million in damage. Heemeyer’s modified Komatsu bulldozer—later dubbed the “Killdozer”—came loaded with steel armor plating, cameras, and gun ports, making it almost impossible to stop.
It all started with what seemed like a regular business dispute over zoning and sewer connections. Heemeyer, who ran a muffler shop, felt local government decisions had boxed him in. Over a year and a half, he quietly turned his bulldozer into an armored juggernaut and mapped out his attack on the town he believed had wronged him.
This story stirs up tough questions about how we handle conflict, the reach of government, and what happens when someone feels ignored. It’s a strange, unsettling look at the messiness between citizens and local officials in small-town America.
Marvin Heemeyer, a 51-year-old muffler shop owner, spent over two years building his armored bulldozer in secret. He welded steel plates and poured concrete for extra protection—some parts were over a foot thick.
When the rampage happened, it stunned the country. Incredibly, no one died except Heemeyer, who ended his life after the bulldozer got stuck. The event still gets people talking about how far someone might go if they feel cornered.
Key targets during the rampage were a town hall building, a local newspaper office, the electric company, a bank, the former mayor’s house, and a construction company. Police tried everything—they fired more than 200 rounds, but the bullets just bounced off.
The rampage ended when the bulldozer got stuck in Gambles store. Heemeyer took his own life inside. It took authorities half a day—twelve hours—to finally cut through the armor and get to him. The whole nightmare lasted just over two hours.
(Excerpt) Read more at countryadventures.net ...
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I included a link to the original FR thread from 2004:
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1147765/posts
Cat D10?.....................
Komatsu, per the excerpt.
Now this is a hero in the American tradition
What he did was wrong, but I understand why he got upset. I fought zoning officials over a building I owned years ago in a state in this union (so far) and finally prevailed. I will never forget it. I promise I understand.
There was an old movie in 1974.
Then in 2004 Marvin Heemeyer had enough and he wasn't going to take it any more.
Fortunately he only "killed" property and then himself, but left a lasting legacy.
"The Killdozer Story" 9:42
"The Dark Truth Behind Killdozer: What They Never Told You" 28:58
Today you can purchase 3-D models of his creation or order printer plans.
Or play a simulator game on Steam.
>
You can even buy a T-shirt.
You can't fight City Hall but with proper planning you can tear it down.
Who was that protester in Israel that got mowed over by the bulldozer?
“Now this is a hero in the American tradition”
Did you actually read the article? He did some bad things to his neighbors and seemed to be one of those people you can’t deal with.
Zoning enforcers are among the worst “public servants”.
Too many can’t/won’t/don’t understand one size doesnt fit all. Variances can be made whilst ensuring public safety.
Amazing work, isn’t it?
I wish he hadn’t killed himself.
A former neighbor had problems because he used full size wall studs from his own sawmill rather than the common nominal store-bought ones.
His own lumber exceeded the required strength!
Komatsu D355A
And I suppose Luigi Mangione is another one of your heroes.
Jerk.
Since he didn’t kill anyone but himself
Many here had at least some of us were dayum!
Of course many freepers were also like shoot him like the cop did the actual teen on the motor grader or pan that time not long after this
The cop cried over it publicly
Some freepers cheered
It’s a tough room here
I’m not sure this guy was target possible in his pillbox on tracks
A heavy shoulder fired missle
Do cops keep those in the trunk?
Maybe BOPE in Rio?
Yes
I’ve been through it
Some folks snap
That’s huge she said
“Ginormous “
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