Armed man claiming to be member of law enforcement arrested at Kirk memorial site
An armed man who claimed to be connected to law enforcement was detained Friday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the Secret Service told Fox News Digital.
The NFL stadium will host Charlie Kirk’s memorial service on Sunday, Sept. 21.
"The U.S. Secret Service in coordination with local law enforcement in Glendale, Arizona, is investigating an individual who was observed exhibiting suspicious behavior at State Farm Stadium," Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told Fox News Digital on Saturday.
FILE - State Farm Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
"The individual was approached by Secret Service and stated during the encounter that he was a member of law enforcement and that he was armed. The individual is not a member of authorized law enforcement working the event and is currently in custody," Guglielmi added.
The individual, who has not been publicly identified, actually was armed, Guglielmi confirmed to Fox News Digital.
"The U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement are investigating the circumstances as to why he was at the location," he also said.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are among the speakers set to honor Kirk on Sunday at the event.
The memorial is expected to draw an enormous crowd. Officials estimate that more than 100,000 people may gather in and around the venue, including attendees inside the 63,000-seat stadium and overflow areas outside.
"From the moment you arrive… have your eyes wide open… who's to your right, who's to your left, who's behind you? What are they doing?" former NYPD detective and security consultant Pat Brosnan told Fox News Digital. "Eyes in the backs and the sides of your head."
According to a law enforcement bulletin obtained by ABC News, authorities are "tracking several threats of unknown credibility."
"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 senior U.S. government officials, state and local government officials, and political activists and due to major international media attention," the memo reportedly says.
The Department of Homeland Security has designated Kirk’s memorial service a Level 1 Special Event, the highest possible rating, matching Super Bowl-level security planning.