Man with Weapon Detained at Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Event in Los Angeles

Authorities have apprehended a man armed with a weapon who was posing as a law enforcement officer at a Hispanic Heritage event featuring Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Los Angeles, California.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported that the man, who claimed to be a U.S. Marshal, was arrested on Friday afternoon at the Kennedy Jr. event. An LAPD spokesperson said that a radio call was made at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time, alerting authorities to a man carrying "a loaded gun in a shoulder holster and a badge stating he was a U.S. Marshal."

Following the radio call, LAPD officers, along with FBI agents, arrived at the location and promptly arrested the individual.

Kennedy Jr. later issued a statement on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, thanking his private security team from Gavin de Becker and Associates (GDBA) for their quick action. "I’m very grateful that alert and fast-acting protectors from GDBA spotted and detained an armed man who attempted to approach me during my Hispanic Heritage speech," he wrote. "The man was wearing two shoulder holsters with loaded pistols and spare ammunition magazines, and was carrying a U.S. Marshal badge. He identified himself as a member of my security detail. Armed GDBA team members moved quickly to isolate and detain the man until LAPD arrived to make the arrest."

Kennedy Jr., who is a presidential candidate, also expressed hope that President Joe Biden would grant him Secret Service protection, stating he is "the first presidential candidate in history to whom the White House has denied a request for protection."

In response, the media pointed out that most candidates in modern presidential primaries do not receive Secret Service protection unless they are considered "major" candidates or have previously served in the White House.

The LAPD identified the suspect as a Hispanic man with tattoos on his arm, neck, and hands. The Watch Commander at Wilshire Station noted that while the man did not brandish his weapon or threaten anyone, he was indeed carrying it. The suspect is currently in custody at Wilshire Station and is likely to be charged with a gun-related offense.