Remembering Charlie Kirk: This guide from trenbuzz.com explains the background, logistics, and ongoing news around the high-profile memorial for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. It answers the burning questions readers are searching for right now — Was Charlie Kirk killed? When and where is the memorial (or funeral) being held? Will it be televised or live-streamed? Who’s speaking and performing? What security issues have emerged (including the Joshua Runkles arrest)? — and provides verified sources at the end so readers can cross-check official information.
Note: This article is informational and based on live reporting and official event pages available as of Sept 21, 2025. I avoid speculation and graphic details about the killing; for legal, safety or travel decisions, always consult official pages listed at the bottom.
Charlie Kirk Funeral — the short answers
- Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at a campus event on Sept. 10, 2025; authorities arrested a suspect and charged him.
- A large public memorial titled “Building a Legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk” is being held Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 at State Farm Stadium (doors open 8:00 AM local; program begins ~11:00 AM local). Overflow arrangements and streaming are in place.
- The memorial is being covered live on multiple platforms (major cable and online outlets are streaming and televising portions). Check the official broadcasters and streaming pages below for the most current live streams and TV listings.
- Security is exceptional and federally coordinated (SEAR Level 1), and an armed man — identified in reporting as Joshua Runkles — was detained near the stadium before the event. Officials say he was not part of the authorized security detail.
1) What happened — quick, verified background
On Sept. 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was shot while speaking at a university appearance. The incident prompted a criminal investigation and charges against a suspect. In the days that followed, Turning Point USA and allied groups organized a large public memorial to honor Kirk’s life and work. Major news organizations have covered the developments.
2) When is the memorial (date, local time, and schedule)
- Event name: Building a Legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk (the public memorial).
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025.
- Venue / Local time: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ. Doors open at 8:00 AM local; formal program listed to begin at 11:00 AM local (approximately 2:00 PM ET / 19:00 UTC — check your local timezone). Organizers advised arriving early; seats are first-come, first-served and overflow options were announced.
3) Will Charlie Kirk’s funeral/memorial be televised or live-streamed — where to watch
Yes — multiple networks and outlets provided live coverage and streams for the memorial. Options reported by major outlets include:
- Fox News / Fox LiveNOW / Fox Nation: comprehensive multiplatform coverage and live streaming.
- ABC News Live / ABCNews.go.com: streaming coverage planned on ABC’s digital channels and live blog updates.
- CBS / Paramount outlets / local affiliates: national outlets reported live coverage plans.
- USA TODAY / YouTube / other digital streams: several large digital outlets listed live streams on YouTube or their platforms (search for “Charlie Kirk memorial live stream” from trusted outlets).
For viewers: check the network or outlet’s page shortly before the event for the active stream link and any geo restrictions. Official broadcasters sometimes start pre-event coverage earlier (coverage windows vary by network).
4) Where is State Farm Stadium and why does it matter for this event?
State Farm Stadium (home of the Arizona Cardinals) is in Glendale, part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. It’s a large NFL stadium with flexible capacity for special events — typically seating up to ~63–73k for football and more with standing/overflow plans for memorials. Because of the expected crowd, organizers and federal agencies coordinated an unusually high level of security and logistics for the event. The venue’s official event listing shows the memorial start time and door policy.
5) Who’s speaking and who’s performing — the official program
Organizers listed a mix of political leaders, family members, and Christian worship musicians on the program. Reported participants include:
- Speakers (political and public figures): President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk (who was named leader of Turning Point USA), several cabinet and allied figures, and conservative media personalities.
- Worship/music: Contemporary Christian artists reported to lead worship and musical elements include Brandon Lake, Chris Tomlin, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe Carnes, and Cody Carnes. Multiple music outlets and news sites confirmed those performers.
Because programs can change at short notice, consult the organizers’ official event page and the host broadcasters for the final running order.
6) Security, crowd plans and the Joshua Runkles arrest
Officials applied the highest federal security rating for public events (SEAR Level 1) because of the scale and the high-profile attendees. That meant extensive local, state and federal coordination at the stadium. In the hours before the memorial, authorities detained a man — identified in reporting as Joshua Runkles — who was found armed and allegedly impersonating law enforcement; he was charged with impersonation and carrying weapons into a restricted area. Authorities said he was not part of the authorized security detail. Multiple mainstream outlets reported the arrest and the charges.
7) Will the service be treated like a state funeral?
Media outlets described the security scale and attendance (including the sitting President and Vice President) as comparable to a state-level event because of the national attention and the logistics involved. That is not a legal designation as a state funeral, but in practice the security and coordination resembled high-security national events. Readers should understand that such comparison reflects practical resources and planning, not a formal state-ceremony classification.
8) Practical advice for attendees and viewers
- If you’re going in person: Doors were set to open early (reported at 8:00 AM local); organizers asked attendees to follow the no-bag policy and to arrive early because seats are first-come, first-served. Expect heavy traffic, roadblocks and long waits for security screening. Use official parking instructions and public transport where available.
- If you’re watching: Check trusted networks (Fox News, ABC News Live, CBS/Paramount+ and major outlets like USA TODAY) for streams and scheduled coverage. Streams often begin with pre-event programming; if you need to watch from outside the U.S., network geo-restrictions may apply — use the broadcaster’s official pages.
- Safety & conduct: Given the high profile and charged political discourse, organizers and local authorities asked attendees to follow published guidelines, respect the family’s wishes, and avoid unauthorized demonstrations near secured perimeters.
9) The political and social buzz (context and why this is trending)
Charlie Kirk was a leading conservative youth organizer who built a national movement; his death quickly became a national flashpoint. The national memorial drew political leaders and generated heated coverage across the media spectrum — from live reporting of the memorial itself to broader debates about political rhetoric, campus safety, and media responsibility. Expect continuing coverage of legal proceedings related to the alleged shooter and public reactions to speeches given at the memorial.
10) Frequently asked questions (short answers)
Q: Is Charlie Kirk’s funeral the same as this memorial?
A: Reporting distinguishes between a public memorial/service and private funeral rites. The Sept. 21 event at State Farm Stadium is a large public memorial; private family services, if any, are a separate matter and typically not publicized in detail.
Q: What time does the memorial start in my time zone?
A: The program was scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM local (Arizona) / ~2:00 PM ET — confirm conversions for your timezone and check the broadcaster listings for exact on-air times.
Q: Who arrested Joshua Runkles and what happened to him?
A: Local and federal authorities detained the man near the stadium; reports indicate charges related to impersonating an officer and carrying weapons into a restricted space. He was processed by local law enforcement; check local court records or follow updates from credible outlets for case status.
Q: Will the event be replayed or available afterward?
A: Major broadcasters and digital platforms typically archive coverage for later viewing; check the broadcaster’s website or official Turning Point USA channels for on-demand replays or highlights.
11) Responsible reporting & ethical notes for readers
This is a politically charged story involving a fatal attack and ongoing legal processes. Refrain from sharing unverified rumours or graphic content; rely on major, established outlets and official statements for updates. If you are sharing social posts, consider the impact on the family and ongoing investigations.
12) Verified sources (official pages and major news coverage)
Below are the authoritative, non-blank links I used to verify the facts in this post. They were live and accurate at the time of writing (Sept 21, 2025). Use them to confirm times, watch official streams, and follow legal or security updates.
- Reuters — “Trump, Vance to headline memorial service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona.” (Reuters)
- Associated Press — “What to know about State Farm Stadium, the venue hosting Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.” (AP News)
- ABC News — “How to watch the Charlie Kirk memorial service” (ABC News Live streaming info). (ABC News)
- Fox News / Fox LiveNOW — live coverage reports and streaming plans. (Fox News)
- Washington Post — coverage of the memorial scale, security and national context. (The Washington Post)
- The Guardian — reporting on the Joshua Runkles arrest and other developments. (The Guardian)
- Billboard / Tennessean — reporting that Christian artists (Brandon Lake, Chris Tomlin, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes) were scheduled to lead worship/perform at the memorial. (Billboard)
- State Farm Stadium — official event listing for Remembering Charlie Kirk (doors and start time). (State Farm Stadium)
- Turning Point USA — official event page and attendee guidance (ticketing, door policy, dress code). (TPUSA Events 2022)
Disclaimer : This post summarizes publicly available reporting and official event pages as of Sept 21, 2025. Details such as start times, broadcast windows, and security notices may change; always confirm with the official links above before traveling or making viewing plans. This article is for informational purposes and is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Images used in this article are royalty‑free or licensed for commercial use and are provided here for illustrative purposes.