In June 2004, because of perceived personal attacks from local institutions, Heemeyer drove a bulldozer fortified with concrete, steel and three rifles through the town of Granby, destroying half the town and causing $10 million in damage.<\/p>\n
Why did he do it? That\u2019s what Brower explores in his book \u201cKilldozer,\u201d an attempt at capturing the events that led up to and followed Heemeyer\u2019s rampage through the town he once covered.<\/p>\n
The events are depicted in an upcoming documentary called \u201cTREAD,\u201d scheduled to debut at the South by Southwest festival in March. Brower, who knew Heemeyer personally and lived through the rampage, was an associate producer on the project.<\/p>\n Brower, in his book, said he\u2019s trying to dispel a false narrative around Heemeyer that has spread since he took his own life during the rampage. Heemeyer has been cast as an American anti-hero, someone who took on the system \u2013 the government, media and businesses \u2013 for its oppression.<\/p>\n But this narrative, that Heemeyer was justified in getting back for the wrong that had been done to him, is \u201cbogus,\u201d Brower said. The book is meant to be corrective and in no way an attempt to glorify Heemeyer\u2019s actions. Heemeyer\u2019s infamy is much bigger than a book about him, Brower said.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople wanted to make him a hero, and this is all bunk, so I\u2019m going to write what really happened,\u201d Brower said.<\/p>\n The story reflects much of the current disdain of society for government, media and established society, Brower said. Heemeyer, like some people today, use the perceived wrongdoing of establishments to justify ways of getting back at institutions, Brower said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe (Heemeyer) invented this narrative playing on this pre-existing bias, and with God\u2019s justification, that\u2019s what convinced him to build a tank out of a bulldozer and destroy the town,\u201d Brower said.<\/p>\n So what could have been done? What can we as a society do to avoid the total erosion of trust in institutions? Communicate, Brower suggests.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery effort should be made to be inclusive and communicate with these oddballs, it\u2019s the communication and expression of what they\u2019re thinking, I think that some how could have helped,\u201d Brower said. \u201cI do think that\u2019s a critical thing to think about.\u201d<\/p>\n