A 19-year-old man was arrested in downtown Phoenix after allegedly vandalizing a memorial honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was recently killed.
The suspect, identified by police as Ryder Corral, was detained by bystanders and arrested by a nearby officer after walking through the memorial site and knocking over items placed in Kirk’s memory.
Witnesses said Corral kicked over flowers, vases and balloons that mourners had left to honor Kirk.
Video footage of the incident shows multiple people tackling the suspect and holding him on the ground until police arrived.
Phoenix Police confirmed Corral’s arrest and said he faces several charges related to the disturbance.
“Corral will be booked on multiple charges to include criminal damage and disorderly conduct,” the department said in a statement outlined by the Post Millennial.
Witnesses reported that Corral managed to walk across at least fifteen yards of the tribute area before he was stopped.
The memorial had been growing in size in the days following Kirk’s death, drawing crowds of supporters and mourners.
Footage reviewed from the scene indicates that Corral was wearing a black shirt featuring an eagle logo above an American flag.
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That same style of shirt has been identified in photos released by the FBI as the one allegedly worn by Tyler Robinson, the suspect accused of murdering Kirk.
Authorities have not confirmed whether there is any connection between Corral and Robinson.
The FBI, however, is investigating several left-wing groups in Utah to determine whether they had prior knowledge of the killing or provided assistance to Robinson afterward.
Officials noted that one group under investigation deleted its social media presence shortly after the shooting took place.
Law enforcement agencies have not released the name of that group or further details about its activities.
The arrest of Corral comes amid a wave of online reactions to Kirk’s murder that have drawn widespread attention.
Hundreds of left-leaning social media users have posted celebratory messages about the killing, while others suggested Kirk’s activism made him a target.
Accounts on the platform X have compiled screenshots and documentation of many of these posts.
Among them is a user who goes by Aesthetica, who has tracked dozens of celebratory comments directed at Kirk’s death.
In addition, an activist group has announced the development of a searchable online database cataloging the reactions.
The project, titled “Expose Charlies Mvrderers,” reportedly includes more than 50,000 instances of leftists making posts celebrating the murder.
The database is expected to go live in the coming days.
Organizers say it will provide searchable access to the collection of messages, screenshots and usernames tied to the celebratory responses.
Resist the Mainstream reported Sunday that Robinson lived with a trans-identifying partner, according to law enforcement sources.
Authorities said a “roommate” provided information showing communications from Robinson discussing bullet casings similar to those found at the scene.
The messages also included instructions to retrieve a rifle from a drop point, which helped law enforcement trace the weapon.
