An armed man who allegedly posed as law enforcement was detained at an Arizona stadium where a memorial service for Charlie Kirk is set to take place on Sunday, authorities said.
The man, identified by the Arizona Department of Public Safety as Joshua Runkles, 42, entered State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday and was “exhibiting suspicious” behavior, a Secret Service spokesperson said in a statement Saturday.
The spokesperson added that the man was posing as law enforcement and was armed.
He was found with a Glock pistol, revolver and knives, according to court documents obtained by NBC affiliate KPNX.
“The individual is not a member of authorized law enforcement working the event and is currently in custody,” the spokesperson said. “The U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement are investigating the circumstances as to why he was at the location.”
Runkles was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon into a prohibited place. He was released on bond from Maricopa County Jail, the department added, and could not be immediately reached for comment.
Runkles had entered the stadium armed after being told he could not do so, according to a probable cause statement.
He had approached an Arizona Department of Public Safety major outside of the stadium on Friday and said he was working a security detail through Turning Point USA, according to the statement.
Runkles was asked for identification and he presented “a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office badge and an Idaho law enforcement identification card, sworn commissioned reserve peace officer,” the filing said.
The major asked if he was armed, to which Runkles said yes. The major advised him that he couldn’t enter the stadium armed, and that he should contact Turning Point USA to liaise with Secret Service regarding access to the stadium, the filing said.
About two hours later, Secret Service staff found him inside the stadium and detained him after learning he was armed, according to the document.
Runkles presented himself as peace officer, but is not one in Arizona, nor was he currently employed or associated with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the filing said.
He did have a concealed carry weapon permit issued in North Carolina.
He was found to be armed with a loaded pistol, revolver and several knives, the statement said.
Andrew Kolvet, Turning Point USA spokesperson and the executive producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, said in a post on X that the person was doing advanced security for a guest who was planning to attend the memorial service.
“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,” he said. “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.”
The memorial service for Kirk is expected to draw a massive audience, which will include President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other elected officials.
Kirk, a conservative activist with a popular podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” was assassinated this month while speaking at an event at a college campus in Utah. He was 31 years old and left behind a wife and two children.
His murder followed a series of political acts of violence in the United States in the last year, including the assassinations of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home, and an arson at the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Trump also faced two assassination attempts while campaigning for the presidency last year.
Kirk’s assassination has done little to quell charged political rhetoric that has gripped the nation for the better part of a decade.
Social media has arguably become even more of a cesspool of hate since the Sept. 10 attack, with extremists flooding news feeds celebrating Kirk’s killing and others calling for civil war.
