An armed man was arrested at State Farm Stadium ahead of Charlie Kirk’s memorial, after he allegedly presented expired law enforcement credentials and was armed with a gun and a knife. Now it has been revealed that the man, Joshua Runkles, was conducting a security sweep.
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A Turning Point USA (TPUSA) spokesperson, Andrew Kolvet, revealed that Runkles was “doing advance security” for an unspecified guest who was planning to attend Kirk’s memorial at the Glendale stadium in Arizona.
“We do not believe this person was attempting anything nefarious,” Kolvet wrote on X. “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.”
As previously reported, the arrest came about on Saturday, September 20. At the time, law enforcement, including the U.S. Secret Service, noticed a man at State Farm Stadium who displayed “suspicious behavior,” according to Fox News Digital.
The man, later identified as Joshua Runkles, allegedly told agents that he was law enforcement and that he was armed. However, the credentials that he provided were allegedly expired. Furthermore, he had at least one firearm and one knife, as per The Washington Post.
Reportedly, Runkles is a former Idaho deputy sheriff, and, as reported by the New York Post, he was booked into Maricopa County Jail for impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon into a prohibited place. He has since been released after posting bond.
The incident remains under investigation.
Charlie Kirk Memorial
Charlie Kirk’s memorial is set to honor the conservative figure’s life more than a week after he was assassinated at Utah Valley University. Important political figures expected to attend the event include President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and political commentator Tucker Carlson.
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident, was arrested following a 33-hour-long manhunt. He is accused of shooting Charlie Kirk in the neck, killing him. He was charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors have announced that they intend to seek the death penalty.