Armed man arrested at Charlie Kirk funeral site was conducting security sweep, TPUSA says
Turning Point USA says the suspect was conducting an advance security check for a known guest ahead of the memorial at State Farm Stadium; officials say the incident involved weapons but no known threat at the time.
An armed man arrested Friday inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, was not a threat, Turning Point USA said, but was conducting an advance security sweep for a known guest ahead of Charlie Kirk’s funeral. The incident occurred as security teams prepared for the memorial service for Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder. Joshua Runkles, 42, was allegedly carrying a knife, a gun and expired law enforcement credentials when he was taken into custody inside the NFL venue. He was booked into Maricopa County Jail on charges that included impersonating a law enforcement officer and bringing a weapon into a prohibited place. He was later released on bond. TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet said the advance security check was not conducted in coordination with TPUSA security or the U.S. Secret Service.
Separately, authorities identified Tyler Robinson, 22, as the man who fatally shot Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Robinson was charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and obstruction of justice. The investigation disclosed that Robinson lived with a transgender roommate, and communications between the two helped federal investigators capture the alleged shooter. Kirk, aged 31, a prominent MAGA figure, was attending an event on his American Comeback Tour when he was fatally wounded by a single shot.
Kirk’s body was brought to Arizona from Utah on Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, and taken to Phoenix’s Hansen Mortuary Chapel, according to reports tied to the event. Kirk’s funeral is scheduled for Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium, the home venue of the Arizona Cardinals. President Donald Trump has publicly urged that the killer face the death penalty and has said he intends to attend the service. Kirk is survived by his wife and two young children, and his memorial has drawn a wide array of supporters and political figures.
Security at the site has been described as ongoing and careful. Officials noted that the scene had not yet been fully sealed when the arrest occurred, and they emphasized that all precautions are being taken to ensure public safety. Three U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in camouflage uniforms were seen in front of State Farm Stadium as part of the surrounding security presence.
The incident at the stadium underscores the heightened security surrounding high-profile political events and the challenges of coordinating protection for public figures and large crowds. As the funeral arrangements proceed, investigators said they will review the circumstances of the Friday arrest and any gaps in the security perimeter to prevent similar incidents at future high-profile memorials.