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Topics: Charlie Kirk, US News, News, Politics
Lucy Devine
Topics: Charlie Kirk, US News, News, Politics
A security expert has given their take on why Charlie Kirk's memorial is being held in a stadium.
On Sunday (21 September), over 60,000 people will gather at State Farm Stadium, just outside of Phoenix, in Arizona, to pay tribute to Kirk.
The memorial was announced by Kirk's organisation, Turning Point USA, and is open to the public, with those hoping to attend needing to register online by providing a name, email, phone number and postcode.
Kirk was shot dead last Wednesday, as he held an event at Utah Valley University (UVU).
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With the events of the last week, and the continued unrest from those who disagreed with Kirk's beliefs bubbling on social media, some security experts have been left concerned over the very public event, which is set to attract top-level Republican party officials, as well as the president, Donald Trump, who is planning on attending.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi has confirmed that 'joint security planning is underway', adding that 'appropriate public safety-related information will be provided as the process matures in the coming days'.
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With last week's news still fresh in everyone's minds, one security expert has explained the potential reason why Kirk's memorial is being held in a stadium, with such large numbers of people set to attend.
The event, which security specialist Will Geddes estimates will incur security costs of over £10 million, is expected to begin at around 11.00am local time (or, 7.00pm in the UK).
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Speaking to LADbible, Geddes explained: "The venue itself will have its own security as a stadium. I would hope there would be sufficient turnstiles, search points, security gates and checkpoints to ensure that people cannot bring malicious items in."
Geddes explained that having the event at the stadium is an 'intentional' move to minimise threats - for example, from those that could be hiding in overlooking buildings or rooftops.
"It's a very good idea in theory," Geddes continued.
"You've got everyone comfortably accommodated; whatever they're going to do will be seen and enjoyed and celebrated by everyone. One of the key factors is who will be present at the stadium. Will Charlie Kirk's widow and the children be there? Will other celebrities be there? So you have multifaceted elements.
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"Obviously, there's the protection of the crowd themselves and then also the people coming along, and then the VIP protection, too."
The stadium, which is home to the Arizona Cardinals NFL team, has a retractable roof, meaning it may be enclosed for the event or potentially open-air.
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Kirk was hit by a single shot in the neck and was rushed to hospital by his security team, where he later died.
Within 48 hours, a suspect named Tyler Robinson was arrested, following a 33-hour manhunt as the commander-in-chief revealed a person ‘close’ to him had ‘turned him in’ to authorities.
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Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox has said that the suspect has remained silent since he was taken into custody and is ‘not cooperating’.
Meanwhile, Kirk's wife, Erika, gave a heartbreaking address over the weekend, in which she paid tribute to her late husband.
"Charlie loved his children and he loved me with all of his heart,” she said in her first comments since the incident.
Revealing how she broke the news to her three-year-old daughter, the mum-of-two explained: "[Our daughter said] 'Mommy, I missed you.' I said, I missed you too. She goes, 'where's daddy?' She's three.
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"I said, 'Baby, daddy loves you so much. He's on a work trip with Jesus, so he can afford your blueberry budget.'"
Also on Instagram, Erika wrote: "If they thought my husband’s mission was big now... you have no idea.
"All of you. Will never. Ever. Forget my husband @charliekirk1776 I’ll make sure of it."