The man who was apprehended at the venue hosting Charlie Kirk’s funeral, where he was found carrying weapons, was conducting a security check for a known individual, as confirmed by Turning Point USA (TPUSA). Joshua Runkles, arrested at State Farm Stadium for allegedly impersonating a police officer, was not considered a threat, according to the Conservative group.
The incident took place at the Arizona memorial, expected to attract a large crowd, including high-profile conservative personalities like President Donald Trump. TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet stated that while they believe Runkles had no malicious intent, his actions were not coordinated with the TPUSA security team or US Secret Service properly.
Runkles, aged 42, possessed a gun and a knife at the stadium, which is the home base of the Arizona Cardinals NFL team. He claimed to be working as private security when questioned by Secret Service agents, presenting them with a fake police badge and ID, leading to his arrest.
Following the arrest, Runkles was taken into custody for impersonating law enforcement and carrying weapons in a restricted area. He was subsequently released on bond pending further investigation, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Despite having a concealed carry permit in North Carolina and a previous role as a deputy sheriff in Idaho, Runkles is prohibited from returning to the site of the incident while on bail, with his listed address in North Carolina.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for Kirk’s public memorial service, scheduled later today at the stadium, which has a capacity of 63,000 attendees, expandable to accommodate over 73,000 for larger events. Overflow arrangements at the nearby Desert Diamond Arena can cater to an additional 19,000 individuals.
The event will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with a strict no-bag policy enforced by TPUSA. Kirk tragically lost his life last week in a shooting incident at Utah Valley University, with a suspect now facing murder charges in connection with the incident.