Charlie Kirk’s memorial preparations had been disrupted Friday (September 19), when a person carrying a firearm and a knife was arrested inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, after allegedly posing as a regulation enforcement officer.

The suspect, recognized by Arizona authorities as 42-year-old Joshua Runkles, was taken into custody earlier than the venue’s safety perimeter had been finalized for Sunday’s memorial occasion. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Runkles faces expenses of impersonating a peace officer and bringing a weapon right into a restricted space.

“The US 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 advised Fox News Digital. “The individual is not a member of authorized law enforcement working the event and is currently in custody.”

A supply acquainted with the state of affairs advised the New York Times that Runkles was in possession of no less than one firearm, a knife and introduced “inactive law enforcement credentials.”

Runkles was launched round 10 a.m. Friday, Arizona police confirmed.

The arrest comes as federal and native businesses ramp up safety for the Sunday memorial, which has been categorised as a Level 1 Special Event by the Department of Homeland Security — the best designation for safety danger, sometimes reserved for occasions just like the Super Bowl or presidential inaugurations.

Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 throughout a cease at Utah Valley University on his American Comeback tour. His dying has sparked nationwide conversations about political violence and free speech.

The service, titled “Building a Legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk,” is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. native time Sunday (September 21), with doorways opening at 8 a.m. Attendees are inspired to put on crimson, white and blue and will likely be topic to metallic detector screenings and pat-downs. Prohibited gadgets embody alcohol, weapons, drones, fireworks and clothes deemed indecent.

The occasion, organized by Turning Point USA — the conservative group Kirk co-founded in 2012 — is anticipated to attract 1000’s. The venue, house to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, seats 63,400 and may broaden to over 73,000.

Donald Trump, who reportedly requested the usage of the stadium, is among the many scheduled audio system. Others embody Vice President JD Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson, White House advisor Stephen Miller and Sergio Gor.

Christian artists Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe Carnes and Cody Carnes are additionally slated to carry out. Glendale Police Chief Chris Briggs stated his division is deploying “every available resource” and receiving help from close by jurisdictions. Tactical items and bomb squads will likely be on standby.

Kirk’s physique was flown from Utah to Arizona aboard Air Force Two on Thursday, accompanied by JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance and Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk. He will likely be buried in Phoenix, the place he lived with Erika and their two kids.

Following her husband’s dying, Erika Kirk vowed to proceed his mission. “You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife, the cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry,” she stated. “They ought to all know this: for those who thought that my husband’s mission was highly effective earlier than you haven’t any thought, you haven’t any thought what you simply have unleashed throughout this complete nation

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