This Saturday an armed man was taken into custody by security at the site of the Charlie Kirk memorial at the State Farm Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

Police said he had been exhibiting “suspicious behavior” that got their attention.

“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.

“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 man, Joshua Runkles, was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer, a felony, and carrying a weapon into a prohibited place, a misdemeanor, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said.

“An investigation is ongoing to determine his intent and purpose at the stadium. Runkles has since been released on bond,” according to Arizona DPS.

However, Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet said that the man had been doing advance security for a guest at the memorial service and that nothing “nefarious” was involved.

“This individual was doing advance security for a known guest planning to attend the memorial service tomorrow. We do not believe this person was attempting anything nefarious, however the advance was not done in proper coordination with the TPUSA security team or US Secret Service,” Kolvet wrote.

“Also important to note that this was before the site had been fully sealed and locked down. Every precaution is being taken to ensure everyone’s safety.”

That’s good news, if it was just confusion and nothing untoward.

I think, given all the people who are going to be in attendance, people are likely hypersensitive, as they should be.

It has been given the highest level security designation.

It was designated as a Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Level 1 event.

Thousands were in line for the memorial early in the morning.

More than 100,000 are expected to attend, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk, who are all expected to deliver remarks.

Many have now moved to form TPUSA chapters since Kirk’s assassination at high schools and colleges.

The memorial is being carried live by CBS News, CNN, Fox News, ABC News, and NewsNation, with Fox having correspondents on the ground at the stadium.

The incident highlights the extreme security measures needed for such a high-profile conservative gathering.

Secret Service agents remain on high alert following Kirk’s assassination and multiple attempts on President Trump’s life.

Runkles’ failure to coordinate with official security teams created unnecessary confusion during a tense situation.

The charges against him demonstrate that even well-intentioned security work requires proper authorization and communication.

TPUSA’s explanation helps clarify what could have been interpreted as a more serious threat to the memorial service.

The SEAR Level 1 designation reflects the government’s recognition of the serious security risks facing conservative leaders.

The massive expected attendance of over 100,000 people makes security coordination even more critical and complex.

The incident shows how heightened security awareness can lead to misunderstandings when protocols aren’t followed properly.

Law enforcement’s quick response demonstrates their commitment to preventing any repeat of the Kirk assassination.

The release on bond suggests authorities are satisfied that Runkles posed no genuine threat to the memorial.

This case illustrates the challenges of securing large political events in today’s volatile environment.

The confusion underscores why proper coordination between all security teams is essential for public safety.

Despite the initial alarm, the incident resolves as a procedural mistake rather than a security threat.

The memorial’s high security profile reflects the continuing danger faced by prominent conservative figures.

This incident will likely lead to even stricter security protocols for future conservative political events.

The quick resolution allows the memorial to proceed as planned without compromising safety or attendance.