A Moore County man was arrested Friday, just two days before the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, after authorities say he showed up at the Arizona stadium hosting the event armed and pretending to be law enforcement.
Officials identified the suspect as 42-year-old Joshua Runkles of Cameron. Investigators say he carried multiple guns and knives into State Farm Stadium in Glendale, where security was already tight ahead of Sunday’s service. When questioned, Runkles flashed badges and IDs from law enforcement agencies, but officers quickly determined they weren’t valid.
The Secret Service moved in and arrested Runkles near the club-level elevators. He was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on charges of impersonating an officer and attempting to bring weapons into a restricted area.
Turning Point USA, the group hosting the memorial, later said Runkles was providing “advance security” for a guest but admitted the arrangement hadn’t been coordinated with their team or the Secret Service. With high-profile figures such as President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance scheduled to attend, the incident only heightened concerns about security.
Runkles has since been released on bond. Investigators are still trying to determine how he obtained the law enforcement credentials he used and who he was working for when he showed up at the stadium.
All people charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
