1 of 4 | A mural of slain Charlie Kirk, painted by Dudi Shoval, appears on a wall in the southern city of Ashdod, Israel, on September 13. The Turning Point USA co-founder will be remembered during a memorial service in Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Thousands of people lined up early Sunday outside State Farm Stadium in preparation for a memorial service for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Ariz.
AZCentral reported that thousands were lined up in the Westgate Entertainment District hours before the start of the 11 a.m. service, some by 2 a.m.
The stadium, home to the Arizona Cardinals, can hold 63,000 people, but more than 200,000 responded online for tickets, The Washington Post reported.
The memorial service for Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA who was shot during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, is expected to draw some of the biggest names in conservative politics. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and several members of Trump’s Cabinet were expected to give remarks.
Security is expected to be high at the event given the high-profile nature of the attendees. The Department of Homeland Security gave the memorial service its highest security designation, usually reserved only for events such as Super Bowl games.
“This designation is reserved for events of the highest national significance and enables the federal government to provide the full range of law enforcement and security resources necessary to support local officials in ensuring a safe and successful event,” an unnamed senior DHS official told the Post.
The Post reported the stadium has received security threats, and officials arrested one armed man allegedly pretending to be a law enforcement official. A representative with Turning Point USA said the man was allegedly conducting “advance security for a known guest” but hadn’t properly coordinated with the Secret Service, The Guardian reported.
Trump, who departed the White House early Sunday, was expected to speak around noon, according to a White House schedule. He plans to return to Washington, D.C., on Sunday evening.
Officials investigate Charlie Kirk shooting
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (C) stands with law enforcement officials at a press conference Friday on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The governor announced the arrest of Tyler Robinson, 22, as the prime suspect in the shooting. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI | License Photo
