Armed man arrested at Charlie Kirk memorial site providing advance security for known guest: TPUSA

An armed man who reportedly claimed to be a law enforcement officer was arrested at the Charlie Kirk memorial site in Arizona on Saturday.

Later on, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, which Kirk co-founded, said he was security personnel for a known guest.

"I want to add a note of clarity here. This individual was doing advance security for a known guest planning to attend the memorial service tomorrow," Andrew Kolvet wrote on X.

"We do not believe this person was attempting anything nefarious, however the advance was not done in proper coordination with the TPUSA security team or US Secret Service. Also important to note that this was before the site had been fully sealed and locked down. Every precaution is being taken to ensure everyone’s safety," he added. 

Officials expect the memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday to draw about 100,000 attendees, including President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Joshua Runkles was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon into a prohibited area.

"The U.S. Secret Service in coordination with local law enforcement in Glendale, Arizona, is investigating an individual who was observed exhibiting suspicious behavior at State Farm Stadium," Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said, according to Fox News Digital.

"The individual was approached by Secret Service and stated during the encounter that he was a member of law enforcement and that he was armed. The individual is not a member of authorized law enforcement working the event and is currently in custody," he also said.