A man who was arrested for carrying a gun and a knife into State Farm Stadium ahead of conservative activist Charlie Kirk‘s funeral was identified as a person conducting a security sweep ahead of the event, according to Turning Point USA, the organization co-founded by Kirk.
Joshua Runkles was arrested on Friday (September 19) at the NFL stadium in Glendale, Arizona, but later identified by Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet as someone who was “doing advanced security for a known guest” ahead of the memorial, which is expected to have more than 100,000 people in attendance, including President Donald Trump.
“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 TPUSA security team or US Secret Service. Also important to note that this was before the site had been fully sealed and locked down. Every precaution is being taken to ensure everyone’s safety,”
Kirk’s funeral will be held at State Farm Stadium at 2:00 p.m. ET or 11:00 a.m. local time. Kirk was fatally shot in the neck during what was scheduled to be the first stop on his ‘American Comeback Tour’ last Wednesday (September 10).
The suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, was announced to have been in custody and publicly identified by police last Friday (September 12). Kirk founded Turning Point USA at the age of 18 along with tea party activist William Montgomery in 2012.
The political pundit gained notoriety debating liberal students, winning over conservative financiers. Kirk enthusiastically supported President Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign and served as a personal aide to his son, Donald Trump Jr., during the campaign, while also gaining a regular presence on cable news.
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