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By Dan Gooding and Hannah Parry
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Investigators discovered several anti-fascist messages inscribed on bullet casings recovered from the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, Utah Governor Spencer Cox said on Friday.
The messages were among the evidence discussed during a press conference held by the Republican governor and law enforcement announcing the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, had been arrested.
Why It Matters
More details are emerging about the Utah man suspected of carrying out Kirk's assassination, with every new piece of information released by authorities likely to be heavily scrutinized amid increased tensions across the U.S. following the shooting on Wednesday.
Read More
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GOP Senator ‘Disgusted’ by Conservatives Declaring ‘War’ After Kirk Killed5 min read
Who Is Tyler Robinson? Charlie Kirk Shooting Suspect Identified9 min read
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Messages on Bullet Casings: What They Mean
Cox outlined some of the messages investigators had found on the shell casings linked to the shooting, including one which read: "Hey fascist! Catch!", followed by an up arrow symbol, a right arrow symbol, and three down arrow symbols.
The arrow symbols are thought to be a reference to the videogame Helldiver 2.
Helldiver 2 Reference Message Meaning
Helldivers 2 is a heavily satirical shooting game in which the player is part of a future version of our planet known as "Super Earth" where all of humanity is living under "managed democracy".
The game has been viewed as a tongue in cheek critique of military dictatorships, with references to fascism and colonialism.
'Oh Bella Ciao' Message Meaning
Another casing read, "Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao."
"Bella Ciao" is an Italian song dedicated to resistance fighters during the Second World War, who were fighting against the occupying Nazi forces.
In recent history, union members in Italy sung the song at conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as she spoke at a conference in March 2023. Her party, the Brothers of Italy, was founded by followers of former dictator Benito Mussolini as a post-fascist movement following WWII.
'Notices Bulges' Message Meaning
Other messages included, "Notices, bulges, OwO what's this?" an apparent reference to an internet meme connected with furries, part of the role-playing community.
The meme, poking fun at the community, originated in around 2013. The "OwO" refers to an emoji used by furries online as a cutesy symbol.
Another message on the casings read: "If you read this, you are gay LMAO."
When was Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot?
Kirk was shot through the neck during a student Q&A at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Moments before Kirk was shot, he was answering a question about gun violence.
Following the shooting, he was transported to a local hospital and died. His body has been returned to his home state of Arizona and transported to a church ahead of a funeral service.
Suspect Tyler Robinson Arrested: What We Know
Robinson was detained Thursday night, when a family member of Robinson reached out to a friend who then contacted the Washington County Sheriff's Office with "information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident."
Authorities said that Robinson had arrived on campus in a Dodge Challenger around 8:30 a.m. on September 10. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason had described the suspect on Thursday as someone who "blended in well with the college institution."
Robinson was not a student at UVU, and Utah State University confirmed in a Friday statement that he "briefly attended Utah State University for one semester in 2021."
What People Are Saying
Utah Republican Governor Spencer Cox, at a press conference Friday: "This is certainly about the tragic death and assassination, political assassination of Charlie Kirk. But it is also much bigger than an attack on an individual. It is an attack on all of us. It is an attack on the American experiment. It is an attack on our ideals."
President Donald Trump, speaking of Kirk on Fox News Friday morning: "He was such a great guy...you know in many ways he's bigger now because of what happened. He was really big, important, and I guess this doesn't help his family very much when I say this...You know we have so many bad people, so many bad philosophies, ideologies, politics—his was basically just good. He talked about family, he talked about getting married, go get married, sounds old fashioned when you think about it but he's right."
What's Next
FBI Director Kash Patel said law enforcement was still following thousands of leads on the case.
Robinson was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a weapon, and obstruction of justice, according to The Associated Press. All are state felonies, and aggravated murder can carry the death penalty.
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