A man armed with a gun and knife was detained by the Secret Service inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, ahead of Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Authorities say the individual, a former law enforcement officer, falsely claimed he was providing private security and is now under investigation.
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GLENDALE, AZ (3-minute read) — Security concerns surfaced in Glendale on Friday when the U.S. Secret Service detained a man armed with both a firearm and a knife inside State Farm Stadium, just days before Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.
Armed Man Detained Inside Stadium
According to Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, the arrest occurred inside the venue but before the secure perimeter was set up. The man allegedly identified himself as a law enforcement officer and presented expired credentials. Federal sources later confirmed he had previous law enforcement experience in another state, but was not authorized to provide security for the event.
The suspect reportedly told agents he was there to provide private security. However, officials stressed that he had no official role in the memorial’s protection and is now in custody pending further investigation.
Security on High Alert for Memorial Service
The memorial, honoring Charlie Kirk, is expected to draw massive crowds. State Farm Stadium can seat over 63,000 people, with room for expansion to more than 73,000. Police and federal authorities are preparing for an estimated 100,000 attendees across the stadium and an overflow arena.
The Department of Homeland Security has assigned a “Special Event Assessment Rating Level 1” to the service, putting it on par with major national events like the Super Bowl. Former President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, are among the scheduled speakers.
Safety Tip: Always keep firearms secured and avoid carrying them into restricted or unauthorized areas. Proper identification and lawful authority are essential when armed in public spaces.
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