‘Suspicious’ Armed Man Arrested Outside Stadium Where Charlie Kirk Memorial To Be Held
Update: Andrew Kolvet, Turning Point USA spokesman and executive producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, said on Saturday evening that TPUSA does not believe the person in question “was attempting anything nefarious.”
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
An armed individual pretending to be law enforcement was arrested Friday outside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona—just days before the site is set to host a high-security memorial for Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist assassinated earlier this month.
According to the U.S. Secret Service, the man was exhibiting “suspicious behavior” and falsely identified himself as a law enforcement officer when approached. He was quickly taken into custody.
“The individual was approached by Secret Service and stated during the encounter that he was a member of law enforcement and that he was armed,” said Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi. “The individual is not a member of authorized law enforcement working the event and is currently in custody.”
A source familiar with the situation told Fox that the man is reportedly a former deputy sheriff from Idaho who had expired credentials at the time of the encounter. Authorities are currently investigating his background and motive.
The timing of the arrest is significant. On Sunday, the stadium will host a massive national memorial service for Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, who was gunned down at a Utah campus earlier this month. The high-profile event is expected to draw tens of thousands, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk, and other prominent conservative voices.
Given the magnitude of the gathering, the Department of Homeland Security designated the memorial as a SEAR Level 1 event—a top-tier national security classification typically reserved for events like the Super Bowl and political conventions.
“This designation is reserved for events of the highest national significance,” a DHS official stated, “and enables the federal government to provide the full range of law enforcement and security resources necessary to support local officials in ensuring a safe and successful event.”
State Farm Stadium holds just over 63,000 seats, but officials are already planning for significant overflow, with attendees expected to arrive from across the country.
Security has become a major concern in the wake of Kirk’s assassination, which has already led to intensified scrutiny of political violence, threats to public figures, and the safety of public memorials. The arrest of an armed individual posing as law enforcement just days ahead of the tribute only raises further questions about the nature of threats facing conservative leaders and events in the current climate.