Tyler Robinson, the individual charged with the murder of U.S. conservative figure Charlie Kirk, left inscriptions on four bullet casings discovered with the suspected weapon used in the incident, as per Utah authorities. Kirk, aged 31 and a prominent supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, was fatally shot while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University. Investigators located the casings, along with a .30-calibre bolt-action Mauser rifle wrapped in a towel, in a grassy area believed to be along Robinson’s escape path after the shooting.
During a news briefing on Friday where the 22-year-old Robinson’s arrest was announced, Utah Governor Spencer Cox disclosed the contents of the messages found on the casings, as per a probable-cause statement filed in court. The messages included phrases like “hey fascist! CATCH!” followed by arrow symbols, “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao Ciao ciao!”, “If you read This, you are GAY Lmao,” and “Notices Buldge OwO what’s this?” The last message was on the spent casing.
The unveiling of these messages sparked discussions on their interpretations, with some urging caution against premature judgments. Governor Cox declined to interpret the engravings, leaving it to individual analysis. However, he emphasized that “hey fascist! CATCH!” appeared to be the most evident message.
Further insights into some of the inscriptions reveal the historical significance of phrases like “Bella ciao,” representing an Italian resistance song against fascist oppression during World War II. Additionally, the arrow symbols found on the casings were identified by gamers as a reference to a gameplay code from the video game “Helldivers 2.”
The phrase “Notices Buldge OwO what’s this?” seems to be linked to internet culture and meme references, hinting at online trolling practices. The diverse nature of the messages has raised curiosity and speculation among observers about their intended meanings.