Why would they let him go?

Joshua Runkles, a 42-year-old man, was arrested outside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona—the site of Charlie Kirk's memorial service—on September 20, 2025, one day before the event on September 21. He was charged with felony impersonation of a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon into a prohibited place after allegedly pretending to be a police officer providing private security, while armed with a gun and a knife. Authorities, including the U.S. Secret Service, detained him for suspicious behavior during pre-event security checks.
A Turning Point USA spokesperson later clarified that Runkles was actually performing advance security for a guest attendee, which may have explained his presence but not the impersonation or prohibited weapon. He was booked into Maricopa County Jail and released on bond shortly after.
This incident heightened security for the high-profile memorial, expected to draw over 100,000 people, including speakers like President Trump and Vice President Vance, amid concerns over political violence following Kirk's assassination on September 10, 2025.

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