An armed man has been arrested at the site in Arizona where Charlie Kirk’s funeral will be held on Sunday.
Joshua Runkles, 42, has been charged with impersonating a police officer, which is a felony, and carrying a weapon in a prohibited place.
According to police, Mr Runkles was found with “a loaded pistol, a revolver and several knives”.
Bart Graves, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Public Safety, announced he had since been release on bond, but an investigation is ongoing.
Joshua Runkles has been charged and released on bond
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MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
According to The Washington Post, Mr Runkles told Secret Service agents that he was at the site to provide private security, and gave them “inactive law enforcement credentials”.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told Fox News: “The US Secret Service, in coordination with local law enforcement in Glendale, Arizona, is investigating an individual who was observed exhibiting suspicious behaviour at State Farm Stadium.”
He added that Mr Runkles was detained inside the stadium “prior to the setup of any secure perimeter”.
The funeral of Mr Kirk, a conservative activist who was shot during a rally at Utah Valley University on September 10, will take place at the stadium on Sunday.
CHARLIE KIRK – READ MORE:
State Farm Stadium will hold Charlie Kirk’s funeral on Sunday
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GETTY
Many political leaders and government officials, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, are set to attend the “Building a Legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk” memorial.
A crowd of more than 100,000 is also expected.
A US Department of Homeland Security official told The Washington Post the funeral had been given a Special Event Assessment Rating of Level 1.
“This designation is reserved for events of the highest national significance 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,” the official said.
The funeral is expected to draw a crowd of at least 100,000 people
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It is understood that “several threats of unknown credibility” are also being tracked before the event, according to ABC News.
A law enforcement memo obtained by the outlet said: “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 US Government officials, state and local Government officials, and political activists and due to major international media attention.”
Since his death, tributes for Mr Kirk have poured in.
The US Vice President hosted his podcast less than a week after the 31-year-old’s murder.
Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah State University on September 10
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REUTERSDuring his opening monologue, Mr Vance declared: “We have to make sure that the killer is brought to justice.”
He also claimed left wing extremism was in part to blame.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was charged with the Turning Point USA founder’s murder.
Prosecutors have repeatedly said they will be seeking the death penalty.
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