Authorities detained a man at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday evening after he attempted to enter the venue while armed with a tactical knife, at least one firearm, and inactive law enforcement credentials.
The stadium is scheduled to host the memorial service for assassinated conservative icon Charlie Kirk on Sunday morning.
The massive memorial service is expected to draw over 100,000 attendees, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other members of the cabinet.
The suspect, whose identity has not been released at this time, reportedly claimed affiliation with law enforcement and exhibited suspicious behavior that prompted action from security personnel.
“The individual is not a member of authorized law enforcement working the event and is currently in custody,” the Secret Service said in a statement to the Washington Post. “The U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement are investigating the circumstances as to why he was at the location.”
The Washington Post reports:
The apparent unauthorized entry raised security concerns around the memorial, which is at capacity and is expected to include President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and many other administration officials and top aides.
The man had at least one gun and one knife when he was stopped, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. He also presented “inactive law enforcement credentials” and told Secret Service agents he was at the site to provide private security, the official said.
A spokesperson for the Glendale Police Department referred questions to the Secret Service.
The man is in custody, but has not been arrested or charged as of early Saturday morning.
The Secret Service has designated the memorial as a Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Level 1 due to the anticipated massive crowd and VIP presence, meaning it will have the same level of security as the Super Bowl and other major events of national significance.
There has reportedly been “threats of unknown credibility” towards the event and attendees.
A memo issued by agencies including the FBI, Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS), Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), warned of lone offenders, domestic extremists, and foreign terror organizations.
“Violent extremists and unaffiliated lone offenders may view the memorial service or related events as attractive attack targets due to the attendance of these individuals, other senior US government officials, state and local government officials, and political activists and due to major international media attention,” the memo states.
The Post report added, “Secret Service teams have been on the ground for several days coordinating security with other federal, state and local law enforcement officials, and were expected to begin setting up a perimeter around the stadium Saturday, the law enforcement official said.”
The funeral service is scheduled for Sunday at 11 a.m., with doors opening at 8 a.m.
Attendees are advised to expect enhanced security measures, including a no-bag policy and additional screening that may result in longer wait times. Mourners are encouraged to wear attire in red, white, or blue.
Instead of flowers, donations are requested for Turning Point USA.
Kirk was assassinated during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, as part of his “American Comeback Tour,” on Wednesday, September 10.
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old leftist gamer with a transgender live-in boyfriend, has been arrested for the shooting and charged with capital murder.
If convicted, Robinson will be eligible for the death penalty.
This is a breaking news story and little information has been made public at this time. The Gateway Pundit will provide updates as more information becomes available.
