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.”
As reported by The Washington Post:
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.
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