Armed Impersonator Detained Ahead of High-Profile Charlie Kirk Memorial Service
Armed Impersonator Detained Ahead of High-Profile Charlie Kirk Memorial Service
An armed man, Joshua Runkles, 42, was detained Friday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, after allegedly posing as law enforcement. The incident occurred just hours before a major memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which is expected to draw President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other prominent officials today, Sunday.
According to the Secret Service, Runkles entered the venue on Friday exhibiting suspicious behavior and was found to be armed while impersonating an officer. “The individual is not a member of authorized law enforcement working the event and is currently in custody,” a Secret Service spokesperson stated on Saturday. Runkles has been charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon into a prohibited place, though he has since been released on bond from Maricopa County Jail.
The U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Runkles’ presence at the stadium. The security breach comes amid heightened concerns following Kirk’s assassination on September 10th and a recent surge in politically motivated violence across the United States.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.