An armed man claiming to be connected to law enforcement was detained on Friday after entering State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where a memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk is due to take place. The Secret Service said the individual was observed exhibiting suspicious behaviour and, when approached, stated he was a member of law enforcement and armed.
The man, who has not been named, is currently in custody but has not been arrested. The Secret Service confirmed he is not part of the authorised law enforcement team working the event. He was found to be carrying at least one gun and one knife, and presented inactive law enforcement credentials, claiming he was there to provide private security for a known guest.
Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Kirk’s organisation Turning Point USA, said on X that the man was conducting advance security for a guest planning to attend. “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,” he wrote.
The event, designated a Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Level 1 by the Department of Homeland Security, will be attended by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several Cabinet members. Stringent security measures are in place, with no bags permitted and a security perimeter to be established around the stadium on Saturday.
Charlie Kirk, a close adviser to the White House, was shot and killed during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on 10 September. Tyler Robinson, 22, was detained the following day after handing himself in.
