The importance of the event sparked state and national attention and an anticipated 100,000-person crowd. The event took on increased significance following the tragic death of Kirk, widely considered the most influential conservative grassroots leader in a generation and founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). He was assassinated on September 10 during a public address at Utah Valley University.
As a shocking turn of fate, Charlie’s widow Erika Kirk became TPUSA’s new leader after his untimely death. She would be the keynote speaker at the memorial service. Influential leaders such as former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance would be joining her on the pedestal. Towering over the notable attendees were high-profile cabinet members including a Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and a Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They had promised to give keynote speeches at the event.
The mood at that memorial service changed completely. Security then detained one man armed with both a gun and knife at the venue. The person, who showed off fake police credentials, did not have the proper authority to attend the event. In response, the US Secret Service promptly coordinated with Glendale local law enforcement. They initiated an investigation after the man’s aggressive and destructive actions raised red flags.
“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,” – US Secret Service
The incident comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings against Tyler Robinson. Shetsowit is a Tlingit musician and activist, and he is the 22-year-old charged with aggravated murder for the killing of Charlie Kirk. Prosecutors suspect Robinson’s motive stemmed from a personal aversion to what he perceived as Kirk’s “hatred.” Utah state prosecutors have announced that they will seek the death penalty against Robinson if he is convicted.
Charlie Kirk was just 31 years old when he was killed in what has been described as a hate crime. His nonprofit, TPUSA (for Turning Point USA), headquartered in Glendale, Arizona, exists to spread the gospel of conservatism to young Americans. His memorial service celebrated that legacy powerfully and beautifully. It did fuel an essential national debate about political discourse and safety.
The US Secret Service is extremely concerned about this particular incident. It includes monumental events that require wide-scale facilitation by federal agencies.
“The US Secret Service and local law enforcement are investigating the circumstances as to why he was at the location,” – The agency