Security concerns reached a fever pitch in Glendale, Arizona, this past weekend when a North Carolina man, Joshua Runkles, was arrested at State Farm Stadium ahead of the high-profile memorial service for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The incident, which unfolded on Friday, September 19, 2025, has raised questions about event security, law enforcement protocols, and the sometimes-blurry lines between private security and official authorities at major public gatherings.
According to court documents obtained by multiple outlets including ABC11 Eyewitness News, The Hill, and NBC, Runkles, 42, who resides in Cameron, Moore County, North Carolina, was initially approached by security personnel after he was spotted exhibiting what authorities described as "suspicious behavior" at the stadium. The venue, known for hosting major sporting events, was preparing for an event of unusual magnitude: the memorial for Charlie Kirk, set to draw not only thousands of supporters but also high-profile speakers such as President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
When confronted by a Department of Public Safety (DPS) major working security outside the stadium, Runkles claimed he was part of a security detail for Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the conservative organization co-founded by Kirk. To bolster his claim, Runkles presented a Franklin County Sheriff's Office badge and Idaho law enforcement credentials, according to police reports cited by NBC and WRAL. However, authorities quickly determined that Runkles was neither a member of Arizona law enforcement nor currently employed by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
"He told the trooper he was armed and presented a Franklin County Sheriff's Office badge along with Idaho law enforcement credentials," police said, as reported by KYMA. The DPS major advised Runkles to coordinate with TPUSA and the Secret Service, and explicitly told him he was not permitted to enter the stadium or be armed on the property. Runkles, described as respectful during the encounter, indicated he understood these instructions.
But the story didn't end there. Two hours after the initial contact, Secret Service agents found Runkles inside State Farm Stadium on the club level. Upon detaining him, they discovered two firearms and several knives in his possession, as detailed in court documents and reported by NBC and KPHO/Gray News. Runkles was then charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer—a felony—and carrying a weapon into a prohibited place, a misdemeanor under Arizona law. He was booked into Maricopa County Jail but has since been released on bond.
"An investigation is ongoing to determine his intent and purpose at the stadium," a spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Public Safety told The Hill. The agencies involved, including the Secret Service and Arizona DPS, are jointly examining the circumstances of Runkles's actions and the potential risks posed.
As news of the arrest spread, speculation swirled about whether Runkles had more sinister motives. However, Andrew Kolvet, executive producer for The Charlie Kirk Show and spokesperson for Turning Point USA, sought to clarify the situation on social media. "This individual was doing advance security for a known guest planning to attend the memorial service tomorrow. We do not believe this person was attempting anything nefarious, however the advance was not done in proper coordination with the TPUSA security team or US Secret Service," Kolvet wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He emphasized that the incident occurred "before the site had been fully sealed and locked down" and reassured the public: "Every precaution is being taken to ensure everyone’s safety."
This explanation was echoed in statements to local media, with TPUSA reiterating that Runkles was not attempting anything malicious and that the misstep was primarily a matter of coordination and protocol. Still, the presence of multiple weapons and the use of law enforcement credentials—whether legitimate or not—have left authorities and the public uneasy.
Runkles’s background adds additional layers to the story. According to court documents and police statements, he lives in North Carolina and works for a California-based ministry whose leader has a significant online following. While he claimed to be working security for a guest of the memorial, he was not officially authorized by either TPUSA or any law enforcement agency to carry out such duties at the venue. His attempt to use out-of-state law enforcement identification only further complicated the situation.
The heightened security at the Kirk memorial was no accident. The event, scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 2025, was designated a Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Level 1 event—essentially putting it on par with the Super Bowl in terms of security measures. The stakes were already high: federal authorities had revealed they were tracking "several threats of unknown credibility" against attendees, and the tragic circumstances of Kirk’s assassination just days earlier in Utah had put everyone on edge.
Kirk, a polarizing figure in American politics, was killed on September 10, 2025, during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University. The alleged shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was quickly identified by law enforcement, and Utah prosecutors have announced they will seek the death penalty. In the wake of Kirk’s death, vigils were held across the Phoenix area, drawing crowds outside TPUSA headquarters and at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, as reported by KPHO/Gray News.
Given the national attention and the anticipated attendance of top political figures, security at State Farm Stadium was always going to be intense. The arrest of Runkles, however, underscored just how challenging it can be to balance robust security with the logistical complexities of such a large-scale public event. The fact that Runkles was able to enter the stadium with weapons—even after being told not to—has prompted further scrutiny of the event’s security protocols.
For some, the incident is a cautionary tale about the risks of inadequate communication between private security contractors, event organizers, and official law enforcement. Others see it as a reminder of the charged political climate and the need for vigilance at high-profile gatherings, especially those involving controversial public figures.
As of Monday, the investigation into Runkles’s actions and motives is ongoing. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges, nor have they disclosed whether Runkles will face federal prosecution for his use of law enforcement credentials. Meanwhile, TPUSA and event organizers have redoubled their efforts to ensure that future events are coordinated more closely with official security teams to avoid similar incidents.
The memorial for Charlie Kirk went ahead as planned, with heavy security and a somber mood. The episode involving Runkles served as a stark reminder that, in today’s America, even a gathering meant to honor the dead can become a flashpoint for anxiety and controversy.
