Armed Man Posing As Cop Arrested Outside Charlie Kirk Memorial Service Site

GLENDALE, AZ — An armed man posing as a law enforcement officer was arrested outside the Arizona stadium where the memorial service for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk is scheduled to take place on Sunday.

Joshua Runkles, 42, was taken into custody by the Arizona Department of Public Safety and charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon in a prohibited place, the agency confirmed.

He was booked into the Maricopa County Jail, where he was released on bond.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service confirmed that Runkles was taken into custody after exhibiting "suspicious behavior" outside State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

"The individual is not a member of authorized law enforcement working the event and is currently in custody," Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi told Patch. "The U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement are investigating the circumstances as to why he was at the location."

The incident prompted security concerns just hours ahead of Kirk's memorial service, which is expected to include President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other top administration officials. The program is expected to start at 11 a.m.

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Runkles had at least one gun and a knife when he was stopped, according to a Washington Post report citing a law enforcement official familiar with the matter. He also presented "inactive law enforcement credentials" and told Secret Service agents he was at the site to provide private security, the official said.

Kirk, co-founder and CEO of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, died on Sept. 10 after being shot during a college event in Utah.

The incident occurred during a Q&A session at the college in Orem. Videos circulating online appear to show Kirk recoiling after a shot was heard, with blood pouring from his neck. He was discussing gang violence just before the shooting in the videos.

Less than 36 hours later, authorities took 22-year-old Tyler Robinson into custody in connection with the killing.

On Tuesday, Utah County Attorney General Jeff Gray charged Robinson with aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering, and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.

Gray said his office will be seeking the death penalty in the case.