A man pretending to be a police officer was apprehended on Friday evening at the Arizona stadium where a memorial service for conservative commentator Charlie Kirk is planned for Sunday, officials reported. Kirk, a vocal supporter of former President Trump, tragically lost his life last Wednesday when he was shot during a public speech at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old individual, has been charged with his murder.
The memorial service for Charlie Kirk is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, at a stadium with a capacity of 63,000 attendees, expandable to accommodate over 73,000 individuals for larger gatherings. Additionally, the nearby Desert Diamond Arena will be available for overflow, accommodating an extra 19,000 people.
The event will operate on a first-come, first-served basis depending on stadium capacity, with TP USA advising attendees about a strict no bag policy in effect.
Joshua Runkles, aged 42, faced charges for impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon into a restricted area, as per court documents. He was found with a loaded pistol, a revolver, and multiple knives. Runkles initially claimed to be part of a protection team from Turning Point USA to a security guard and was later detained by Secret Service personnel inside the venue.
After full cooperation, Runkles was released on £400 bail under pre-trial monitoring. The Arizona Department of Public Safety mentioned an ongoing investigation to determine his intentions at the stadium. While on bail, Runkles is prohibited from returning to the site of the alleged incident and is registered at an address in North Carolina.
The security measures at the stadium have been heightened following the incident, anticipating the attendance of prominent figures like President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other senior administration officials at Kirk’s memorial. The Department of Homeland Security has classified the event as a Level 1 Special Event Assessment Rating, allowing federal agencies to implement extensive security measures akin to those of a Super Bowl game.
Authorities are still probing Runkles’ motives, with his next court appearance scheduled for Thursday.