The incident took place Friday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where preparations are underway for the service scheduled this Sunday. Federal agents say 42-year-old Joshua Runkles was spotted acting suspiciously near the site. When approached by the Secret Service, he claimed to be a law enforcement officer and presented credentials. Officials quickly determined those documents were not valid for the event.

Runkles was carrying a loaded firearm and multiple knives, according to court records. He was taken into custody and now faces charges of felony impersonation of a law enforcement officer along with several misdemeanor weapons violations. He was booked into Maricopa County Jail and later released on bond under the condition that he stay away from the stadium.

The memorial has been classified by the Department of Homeland Security as a Special Event Assessment Rating Level 1 (SEAR-1) gathering, placing it in the same category as a Super Bowl in terms of security. This designation ensures the highest level of federal, state, and local coordination to protect attendees.

Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. The accused gunman, Tyler Robinson, is in custody and facing multiple charges, including aggravated murder.

Officials have not disclosed what motivated Runkles or whether he intended to disrupt Sunday’s memorial. The investigation into his actions is ongoing, but law enforcement has reassured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to secure the high-profile service.