Armed Man Impersonating Officer Arrested at Charlie Kirk Memorial in Arizona

Armed Man Impersonating Officer Arrested at Charlie Kirk Memorial in Arizona

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Authorities arrested Joshua Runkles, 42, after he was found armed and allegedly posing as law enforcement inside State Farm Stadium, the site of Charlie Kirk’s upcoming memorial service. Secret Service agents detained Runkles on Friday after he presented “inactive law enforcement credentials” and claimed he was there to provide private security. Officials say he was carrying a knife and a firearm.

Runkles, reportedly a former deputy sheriff from Idaho, was taken into custody by the Arizona Department of Public Safety and booked on charges of impersonating an officer, a felony in Arizona, and carrying a weapon into a prohibited location, a misdemeanor. He has since been released on bond, though authorities continue investigating his intent.

The memorial, titled Building a Legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk, is expected to draw more than 100,000 attendees, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The Department of Homeland Security designated the event a level-1 “special event assessment rating,” reserved for events of the highest national significance, allowing federal authorities to provide enhanced security measures.

Security preparations include hundreds of law enforcement personnel, metal detectors, no-bag policies, and discreet measures to protect attendees. Federal officials warned that high-profile attendees could attract threats, highlighting the importance of vigilance.

Runkles allegedly entered the stadium before secure perimeters were established, raising questions about how he bypassed early security measures. Secret Service and local law enforcement continue to review his background and motives to ensure safety for Sunday’s service.