Suspicious Package Found at Turning Point USA HQ in Phoenix

Phoenix Police Department (PPD) bomb squad personnel were dispatched Wednesday morning to investigate a suspicious bag reported near Turning Point USA (TPUSA) headquarters at the intersection of 49th Street and Beverly Road in the South Mountain area.

Details of the Response

PPD was notified around 9:20 a.m. local time about the unattended bag, prompting an immediate evacuation of the surrounding area as a precaution. A bomb robot and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician in full protective gear were deployed to examine the item, with yellow police tape cordoning off the street and multiple patrol vehicles on site. Newsmax journalist John Huddy captured photos of the response, showing the robot approaching the bag near the headquarters' memorial setup.

In a statement posted on X, PPD emphasized: "This morning PPD was notified about a suspicious bag in the area of 49th St. and Beverly Rd. In the abundance of caution and for the safety of those in the area, this location has been cleared and the PPD Bomb Squad has responded. There is not a threat attached to the incident." Authorities confirmed no immediate danger to the public, and updates were promised as the investigation progressed. The bag's contents remain undisclosed, but initial assessments suggest it may not contain explosives.

The headquarters, located near the Arizona Grand Resort, has been a de facto memorial site since Kirk's death on September 10, 2025, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Mourners have left flowers, American flags, and messages at the building's entrance, with a large black-and-white photo of Kirk drawing steady crowds. The site was vandalized on September 15, leading to the arrest of 22-year-old Ryder Corral on charges of criminal damage and disorderly conduct after he was seen trampling flowers and mementos.

The alert comes four days before Kirk's "Building a Legacy, Remembering Charlie Kirk" memorial service on Sunday, September 21, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona—a 63,000-seat venue home to the NFL's Arizona Cardinals. TPUSA, which Kirk co-founded at age 18, announced the public event on social media, inviting attendees to celebrate his "remarkable life and enduring legacy." President Donald Trump has confirmed attendance, alongside Vice President JD Vance, who helped carry Kirk's casket from Utah to Phoenix aboard Air Force Two on September 11. Kirk's body arrived at a local mortuary that day, with flags lowered to half-staff nationwide by presidential order.

Security has been elevated since Kirk's fatal shooting by 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson, who confessed online before surrendering. The incident has sparked a wave of threats: On September 15, two men were arrested in Utah for attempting to place an incendiary device under a Fox News vehicle in Salt Lake City. Pipe bombs were discovered at Republican and Democratic National Committee offices in Washington, D.C., on September 10—the same day as Kirk's death. Data from the University of Maryland's START center indicates bomb threats against political organizations have risen 15% since 2020, amid polarized rhetoric.

TPUSA Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer addressed the ongoing vigilance in a statement, noting the organization's commitment to Kirk's mission of empowering young conservatives. The headquarters, a hub for TPUSA's grassroots efforts, has seen emotional gatherings, with supporters like Arizona State University students praising Kirk's influence on Gen Z voters.

The response has amplified online outrage, with X users posting videos of the bomb robot and questioning the timing. @MarioNawfal highlighted the "rising political tensions". Conservative figures, including Sen. Ted Cruz, have linked such incidents to left-wing activism, though the FBI has not released a motive for Kirk's killing beyond Robinson's apparent hatred of Kirk's views.

Phoenix police and federal agencies are coordinating to ensure safety for the weekend memorial, which expects thousands amid Kirk's polarizing legacy as a Trump ally and anti-"woke" crusader.