GLENDALE, AZ — The U.S. Secret Service says they are investigating a man who was taken into custody after allegedly acting suspiciously outside State Farm Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The incident occurred ahead of Sunday's memorial service for Charlie Kirk, which is being held at the stadium.
According to a spokesperson, the man, Joshua Runkles, was approached by an officer from the Arizona Department of Public Safety after he was seen acting suspiciously.
Runkles told the officer he was working security for Turning Point USA and presented a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office badge and an Idaho law enforcement ID. He also admitted to being armed.
AZDPS informed Runkles that he was not allowed to be armed on stadium property and would need approval through official security channels. Runkles said he understood and left the area.
Around 2 p.m., U.S. Secret Service agents found Runkles inside the stadium with multiple weapons, including a loaded pistol, a revolver, and several knives. He was detained on-site.
Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, posted the following about the situation on Twitter.
I want to add a note of clarity here. 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… https://t.co/i6YvnMUog1
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) September 20, 2025
Officials say Runkles is not an officer in Arizona and is not currently affiliated with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
He was taken into custody at the scene. He is now under investigation by DPS, the Glendale Police Department, and the U.S. Secret Service.
Runkles faces charges of impersonating an officer and bringing a gun into a prohibited area.
