Local, state and federal law enforcement are working together to prepare for the memorial event honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which is expected to attract 100,000 people or more to State Farm Stadium on Sunday.
Charlie Kirk was like many Arizonans, an out-of-state transplant who made his home in the Valley. Here, he expanded a grassroots organization into a nationwide behemoth.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the U.S. Secret Service is in complete command of the event, which will feature addresses by President Donald Trump and other top Republican officials.
The Secret Service is working with DPS and local police departments to secure the stadium.
Glendale police spokesman Jose Santiago said the city is used to hosting mega events like the Super Bowl, though it usually has years to prepare.
“I don't think anybody can safely say that everything's 100%, but we are confident that we are doing everything possible to try and ensure that this is as safe an event as possible,” Santiago said.
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority owns the stadium in Glendale. An authority spokesperson says event contracts, done by a separate stadium manager, are confidential.
The venue staff and event organizers also appear to be ramping up security beyond what is expected at a typical event like a football game. Bags and strollers will not be allowed into the stadium, and attendees should expect “TSA level screening,” according to Turning Point USA.
The list of prohibited items is quite long and includes obvious items like weapons and drones along with other things like poles, selfie sticks and even balloons.
Santiago said it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how many people will show up, because it is not a ticketed event like a football game. Instead, Turning Point USA, Kirk’s organization that is hosting the memorial, is encouraging people to register online beforehand to indicate whether they will attend.
In a statement, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell says there may also be protestors at the event. She says that is protected speech, but warned that anyone who breaks the law will be held accountable.
“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. 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,” Mitchell said in a statement.
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Lucas Miles, pastor and senior director of TPUSA Faith, speaks during a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Turning Point USA Vice President of Field Operations Andrey Sypher speaks during a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Turning Point USA Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer speaks during a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Jack Posobiec speaks during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Jack Posobiec speaks during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Center for Arizona Policy President Peter Gentala speaks during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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“MAGA Hulk” Stephen Davis speaks during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Attendees shine their phone flashlights during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Rob Clements, pastor and director of ASU Catholic Newman Center, speaks at Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Attendees stand during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Signs decorate the stage at a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. COO Tyler Bowyer said the center sign was from one of Turning Point’s first events at ASU.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Ashlee Davis speaks to KJZZ reporter Camryn Sanchez before Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Carson Carpenter speaks to KJZZ reporter Camryn Sanchez before Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Bella Keenan speaks to KJZZ reporter Camryn Sanchez before Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Turning Point's Arizona State University chapter holds a vigil event for Charlie Kirk on the Tempe campus Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
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Turning Point USA staffers register voters during a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Turning Point USA staffers and volunteers wore “I am Charlie” shirts during a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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A memorial outside Hansen Mortuary in Phoenix on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, where the motorcade carrying Charlie Kirk's casket went from Phoenix Sky Harbor.
Chelsey Heath/KJZZ
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People visit a memorial for Turning Point USA CEO and Co-Founder Charlie Kirk outside the group’s headquarters in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025. Kirk was killed a day earlier during an event at Utah Valley University.
Alexandra Medina/Cronkite News
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Mourners stand with flags across the street from the Phoenix mortuary that received Charlie Kirk's casket on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
Lindsey C. Riley/KJZZ
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A memorial outside Hansen Mortuary in Phoenix on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, where the motorcade carrying Charlie Kirk's casket went from Phoenix Sky Harbor.
Chelsey Heath/KJZZ
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A memorial outside Hansen Mortuary in Phoenix on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, where the motorcade carrying Charlie Kirk's casket went from Phoenix Sky Harbor.
Chelsey Heath/KJZZ
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Mourners gather to honor Charlie Kirk outside the Turning Point USA offices in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025.
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Mourners gather to honor Charlie Kirk outside the Turning Point USA offices in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025.
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Mourners gather to honor Charlie Kirk outside the Turning Point USA offices in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025.
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People visit a memorial for Turning Point USA CEO and Co-Founder Charlie Kirk outside the group’s headquarters in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025. Kirk was killed a day earlier during an event at Utah Valley University.
Alexandra Medina/Cronkite News
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Mourners gather to honor Charlie Kirk outside the Turning Point USA offices in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025.
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A memorial to Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point USA campus in Phoenix on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the 2025 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida, on July 11, 2025.
Gage Skidmore/CC by 2.0
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People pay their respects to Charlie Kirk at a makeshift memorial at the national headquarters of Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday.
/ Ross D. Franklin/AP
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The Turning Point USA campus in Phoenix on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
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Armed Phoenix police officers guard the Turning Point USA campus in Phoenix on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, after the fatal shooting of CEO Charlie Kirk.
Matthew Casey/KJZZ
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Cars parked outside Turning Point USA's Phoenix campus to honor Charlie Kirk on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, after he was shot and killed on Wednesday.
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The Turning Point USA campus in Phoenix on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
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Shane Besore, a Charlie Kirk supporter, is emotional outside the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix on Sept. 10, 2025. Kirk, the group’s co-founder, was shot and killed hours earlier at an event in Utah.
Sydney Lovan/Cronkite News
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Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the 2025 Chapter Leadership Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida, on July 11, 2025.
Gage Skidmore/CC by 2.0
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Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the 2025 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida, on July 13, 2025.
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Charlie Kirk speaks with attendees at the 2019 Teen Student Action Summit hosted by Turning Point USA in Washington, D.C.
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Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at an Arizona for Trump rally at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale on Aug. 23, 2024.
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Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the 2024 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center.
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Charlie Kirk speaks at Turning Point USA's annual event, AmericaFest, on Dec. 19, 2024, at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Sam Dingman/KJZZ
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Turning Point Founder Charlie Kirk and Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance speak with attendees at a Chase the Vote rally in Mesa on Sept. 4, 2024.
Gage Skidmore/CC BY 2.0
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Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the 2023 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix on Dec. 19, 2023.
Gage Skidmore/CC BY 2.0
Given the large number of people expected to attend the memorial, Santiago said parking will be an issue, saying many spots closest to the facility will be occupied by security equipment and motorcades for VIPs like Trump.
He said police are recommending attendees carpool or use rideshare services if possible.
“So utilizing those rideshares are going to help people get to the event and not have to worry about finding those parking spaces,” Santiago said. “We're actually concerned that people are going to have to park several miles away and walk to the facility.”
More Charlie Kirk news
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The memorial event honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk was held at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025. See KJZZ's coverage from Glendale. -
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority owns the stadium in Glendale. An authority spokesperson says event contracts, done by a separate stadium manager, are confidential. -
Charlie Kirk was like many Arizonans, an out-of-state transplant who made his home in the Valley. Here, he expanded a grassroots organization into a nationwide behemoth. -
Former state lawmaker Paul Boyer penned an op-ed for The Arizona Republic calling Charlie Kirk “the best of us” despite the fact that Boyer was at odds with Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA. -
Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk will be memorialized this weekend at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. For some context on Kirk’s legacy, The Show recently spoke with someone who knew Kirk personally. -
Turning Point USA, the organization Charlie Kirk founded to mobilize young, Christian conservatives, has seen a massive surge in interest and support since the activist's assassination last week.
