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Man built a 'killdozer' and caused $7 million worth of damage to get revenge on city council

Rhiannon Ingle

Published 
| Last updated 

Man built a 'killdozer' and caused $7 million worth of damage to get revenge on city council

Everyone seems to have petty fantasies about seeking out revenge on those who have wronged us. And while it's harmless for the most of us - one man clearly took his revenge one step too far.

It all started back in 2004 when Granby, Colorado resident Marvin Heemeyer came to a collision with the local zoning commission over a zoning dispute.

The local city council had approved the construction of a concrete factory right across from Heemeyer's place of business - a muffler shop.

After back and forth negotiations, Heemeyer finally agreed on selling part of his land to a concrete company. However, in 2001, the city council made the decision to approve the building of a concrete plant.

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Credit: Curiosity Vault - Disaster Documentaries/YouTube
Credit: Curiosity Vault - Disaster Documentaries/YouTube

This meant that land next to Heemeyer's business was zoned out for the concrete company's own use.

The news aggravated Heemeyer, who had previously benefited from the unzoned land as a shortcut between his place of work and his residence.

He had even attempted petitions to reverse the zoning, yet was rejected several times.

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The city council's decision sent Heemeyer into a rage-fuelled revenge as he engineered a military-style bulldozer that has been dubbed as a 'killdozer' due to its construction.

Heemeyer had transformed his Komatsu D355A into an almost unrecognisable machine.

With the addition of concrete layers, bulletproof reinforcements and armoured plating - Heemeyer's new vehicle was definitely a sight.

Credit: Sutter Road Picture Company/Zipper Bros Films
Credit: Sutter Road Picture Company/Zipper Bros Films
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The 'killdozer' also came fitted with three gun ports alongside fans inside of the cockpit.

While it was a DIY job, Heemeyer was still able to exact his revenge on the city council.

After driving the 'killdozer' down the streets of Granby, Heemeyer caused a staggering $7 million (approx £6.5 million) worth of damage to the city.

After getting inside the sealed-in cockpit, Heemeyer drove the machine straight through his shop wall before storming into the concrete plant, the town hall, a press office, a hardware store and several homes.

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The rampage went on for over two hours.

But in a shocking turn of events, after getting the vehicle stuck in a hardware shop, Heemeyer took his own life with a gunshot to the head while still inside of the cockpit.

Credit: Sutter Road Picture Company/Zipper Bros Films
Credit: Sutter Road Picture Company/Zipper Bros Films

He has since been heralded as somewhat of a controversial 'folk hero', with many people sharing starkly different views on his actions.

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The shocking story of Heemeyer's revenge has since gathered a following and June 4th is even dubbed as 'Killdozer Day'.

The story became so prolific that over a decade since the event, an entire film was released journeying Heemeyer and his notorious killdozer.

Released in 2019, the documentary Tread follows the synopsis of Heemeyer being 'pushed to his breaking point'.

Dubbed 'a master welder', the docu-film gives an inside look behind how Heemeyer 'quietly fortifies a bulldozer with 30 tons of concrete and steel and seeks to destroy those he believes have wronged him'.

Featured Image Credit: Curiosity Vault - Disaster Documentaries/YouTube/NBC News

Topics: US News

Rhiannon Ingle
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