Armed Man Arrested As Officials Warn Of Zero Tolerance At Kirk Memorial
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell warned Friday that no illegal activity will be tolerated at Sunday’s memorial service for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Mitchell’s comments came as an estimated 100,000 people are expected to attend the service, which will feature remarks from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Fox News reported.
The federal government has designated the memorial a Level 1 Special Event, the same security category as the Super Bowl.
That designation requires extensive interagency cooperation, including federal resources, to safeguard attendees.
“This moment calls for Maricopa County to step up and show the nation—and the world—that we value dignity, civility, and the rule of law,” Mitchell said in a statement posted to X.
“We can be role models that even in times of grief and disagreement, our community is united in its commitment to free speech without violence or lawlessness.”
“Let me be clear: my office will defend the rights of those who come to mourn or protest peacefully,” she continued.
“Anyone who chooses to break the law—through violence, destruction of property, or obstruction—will be held accountable.”
“Let us honor Charlie Kirk’s memory and the blessings of liberty not with division or disruption, but with peace and respect for others,” Mitchell added.
On Saturday, the U.S. Secret Service said an armed man carrying both a firearm and a knife managed to get inside the stadium before being apprehended.
He was taken into custody and now faces charges of impersonating an officer, a felony, and carrying a weapon where prohibited, a misdemeanor, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
“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 agency said in a statement released to Fox News.
“The individual is not a member of authorized law enforcement working the event and is currently in custody. The U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement are investigating the circumstances as to why he was at the location,” the statement added.
Authorities expect the crowd to exceed State Farm Stadium’s capacity, prompting plans for an overflow gathering at Desert Diamond Arena.
The nearby venue regularly hosts concerts and previously held campaign rallies for both Trump and former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle.
The Glendale Police Department issued a traffic alert on Friday, urging attendees to plan ahead.
“Plan ahead for parking & allow extra time to arrive at [State Farm Stadium]. Let’s respect one another, be patient, & create a safe atmosphere,” the department wrote on X.
Kirk was assassinated Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University.
His casket was flown on Air Force Two with Vice President JD Vance from Utah to Phoenix, home of Turning Point USA, the conservative organization he founded.
Trump on Thursday criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., attacking her birth country and questioning her citizenship over remarks she has made about the character of Kirk.
“Ilhan Omar’s Country of Somalia is plagued by a lack of central Government control, persistent Poverty, Hunger, Resurgent Terrorism, Piracy, decades of Civil War, Corruption, and pervasive Violence,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“70% of the population lives in extreme Poverty, and widespread Food Insecurity. Somalia is consistently ranked among the World’s Most Corrupt Countries, including Bribery, Embezzlement, and a Dysfunctional Government. All of this, and Ilhan Omar tells us how to run America!” Trump continued.
He added: “P.S. Wasn’t she the one that married her brother in order to gain Citizenship??? What SCUM we have in our Country, telling us what to do, and how to do it. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
