An individual 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 disclosed.
Charlie Kirk, a vocal supporter of former President Trump, was tragically killed last Wednesday while speaking at a public event at Utah Valley University. The assailant fired a single shot at him, hitting him in the neck while he was seated under a small gazebo for shade.
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old man, has been arrested and charged with Kirk’s murder.
The public memorial for Charlie Kirk is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, at a stadium with a capacity of 63,000, expandable to over 73,000 for larger gatherings. The nearby Desert Diamond Arena will accommodate an additional 19,000 attendees.
Attendees will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis due to stadium capacity constraints. TP USA has also announced a no-bag policy for the event.
Joshua Runkles, 42, faces charges for impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon into a restricted area, according to court records. He was found with a loaded pistol, a revolver, and multiple knives.
Runkles initially claimed to be part of a Turning Point USA security team to a guard and was later detained by Secret Service agents inside the venue.
After cooperating fully, Runkles was released on £400 bail with pre-trial monitoring. Authorities confirmed that an investigation is ongoing to determine his intentions at the stadium.
While on bail, Runkles is prohibited from returning to the site of the alleged incident, with his listed address in North Carolina.
The security presence at the venue has been heightened following the alarming episode, as it is expected to welcome President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other senior administration members. Kirk’s memorial has been classified as a Level 1 Special Event Assessment Rating by the Department of Homeland Security, allowing federal agencies to enforce stringent security measures akin to those at a Super Bowl.
Detectives continue to probe Runkles’ motives, with his next court appearance scheduled for Thursday.