A man has been arrested and charged after he allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer and brought a weapon to the stadium where Charlie Kirk’s memorial service will be held on Sunday, according to officials.
Joshua Runkles, 42, has been booked on charges of carrying a weapon into a prohibited place and impersonating a police officer, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Suspect Joshua Runkles has been booked on charges of carrying a weapon into a prohibited place and impersonating a police officer.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
Runkles was arrested at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, after showing “suspicious behavior,” according to Arizona DPS.
Runkles is not a law enforcement officer, according to DPS. He was taken into custody by the DPS and booked into the Maricopa County Jail.
Turning Point USA volunteers walk past the State Farm stadium ahead the funeral of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona, on Sept. 20, 2025.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images
“An investigation is ongoing to determine his intent and purpose at the stadium. Runkles has since been released on bond,” according to Arizona DPS.
The U.S. Secret Service said it is investigating in coordination with local law enforcement an “individual who was observed exhibiting suspicious behavior” at State Farm Stadium.
A Sept. 19, 2025, drone view of workers installing a photo of slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk is shown ahead of a memorial service to be held for him on Sept. 21, at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona.
Cheney Orr/Reuters
The individual was approached by Secret Service agents and said during the encounter that he was a member of law enforcement and that he was armed, a Secret Service spokesperson told ABC News.
This individual was not a member of authorized law enforcement working the event and an investigation is ongoing as to why he was there, the spokesperson said.
