An armed man impersonating a law enforcement officer was taken into custody at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the site of a major public memorial for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was assassinated on September 10 while speaking with students at Utah Valley University.
The Secret Service confirmed [1] Saturday that the man, whose identity has not yet been made public, was detained Friday after entering the stadium and displaying suspicious behavior.
Authorities said he was armed and falsely presented himself as a law enforcement officer.
“The individual is not a member of authorized law enforcement working the event and is currently in custody,” a Secret Service spokesperson stated.
“The U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement are investigating the circumstances as to why he was at the location.”
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told Fox News that the arrest occurred “in the stadium, but it was prior to the setup of any secure perimeter.”
The Washington Post reported that the man was found carrying both a gun and a knife.
He reportedly told agents he was on site to provide private security and presented inactive law enforcement credentials, according to a Secret Service official cited by the outlet.
The upcoming memorial service for Kirk is expected to draw more than 100,000 people, including President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
State Farm Stadium has a capacity of 63,400, with the ability to expand to 73,000 for larger events.
Officials said overflow areas are being prepared throughout Phoenix to accommodate the anticipated crowds.
Security officials have raised concerns about potential risks tied to the size and visibility of the gathering.
A senior administration official confirmed to Fox News that the Department of Homeland Security circulated a report Thursday warning that authorities are monitoring “several threats of unknown credibility” directed at President Trump, Vice President Vance, and others attending the memorial.
The assessment stated that the high-profile nature of the event could make it a potential target for extremist groups or lone actors.
Tim Miller, a veteran Secret Service agent now leading Lionheart International Services Group, said federal authorities will take maximum precautions.
“The Secret Service is never going to underestimate the potential threats of these events,” Miller told Fox News.
“They are going to provide exactly the amount of security required to ensure the highest level of safety, especially given that the event where Charlie Kirk died was an outdoor event.”
President Trump is scheduled to speak at the memorial service.
Addressing reporters earlier in the week, he reflected on Kirk’s legacy.
“It’s going to be big,” Trump said Monday.
“I’m going to be at the stadium, and I guess I’ll say a few words. I don’t know, but I guess I will, but I knew him very well. He was an amazing guy. He was all about young people and getting them started.”
The memorial service is set to be one of the largest events in Arizona in recent years, drawing national attention both for the scale of the gathering and the prominence of the speakers.
Security officials are coordinating across multiple agencies to ensure the safety of attendees.