Utah state officials revealed etchings on both spent and unspent shell casings recovered at the scene of Charlie Kirk‘s September 10 assassination at an event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah. While the exact motive is still unclear, etchings on the shell casings recovered at the scene point to a potential political motive for the crime.
News of the etchings came the same day authorities arrested 22-year-old Utah resident Tyler Robinson in connection with the right-wing influencer’s murder. Robinson has not yet been formally charged. Law enforcement apprehended Robinson on September 12, 2025, in Washington County, Utah, which is located many hours away from the UVU campus. Reports say Robinson is not a student at UVU.
A mix of politics and online meme/gaming culture
“Hey fascist! Catch!”
— The Recount (@therecount) September 12, 2025
“If you read this, you are gay lmao.”
— Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) reads some of the alleged messages the suspect engraved on the casings in the rifle he used to kill Charlie Kirk pic.twitter.com/iNx5k14819
According to Utah officials, etchings on the single spent casing recovered on the UVU campus include: “Hey Fascists! Catch!,” “If you read this, you are gay lmao,” “O Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao,” and “Notices buldges OWO what’s this?” on the single spent casing. An up arrow, a right arrow, and three down arrows were also on the “fascist catch” casing.
The meaning of each phrase has not been determined, but referencing fascism suggests the killing was politically motivated, as do reports that Robinson had become increasingly political before the attack and critical of Kirk’s views, as those close to Robinson reportedly told investigators.
“Bella Ciao” and World War II
And a Oh bella ciou… pic.twitter.com/NYvqrQUFET
— DeeViant (@DeeViant2021) September 12, 2025
Further, while the exact meaning of “Bella Ciao” is also unknown, it’s the title and refrain of an old Italian folk and protest song sung by Italian anti-fascist resistance fighters during World War II. Meanwhile, “Notices buldges OWO what’s this?” comes from a long-running internet meme that parodies exaggerated role-play style dialogue. There’s no clear political connotation for the phrase.
Sounds like Groypers- The Groypers, sometimes called the Groyper Army, are a group of alt-right, white nationalist, and Christian nationalist activists led by Nick Fuentes. Fuentes called Kirk a fascist
— Tara (@Tara_Jean1) September 12, 2025
Moreover, the taunt about Kirk’s sexuality might refer to Kirk’s frequent criticism of LGBTQ+ and trans-rights causes. Similarly, the arrows on the “fascist catch” casing are also a mystery. Notably, three downward-pointing arrows evoke the emblem of the Iron Front, a 1930s German paramilitary group that resisted both the Nazi Party and German Communists.
Gaming and online culture
He was a gamer and took inspiration from Helldivers 2 https://t.co/tTsEXwfb7E
— Chad Walters (@chad_walters) September 12, 2025
Finally, the arrows also reference online video game culture and game controller input codes, similar to the ‘buldges OWO’ etching. Among other potential interpretations, gamers write input sequences such as those arrows in memes or jokes referencing “cheat codes”, especially when combining them with absurd or provocative text.
Leading to Robinson’s arrest, a family member reportedly confessed to Robinson’s involvement or implied it, and then contacted a family friend who alerted law enforcement. Authorities also relied on surveillance footage and video evidence, tracking a Gray Dodge Challenger seen on the Utah Valley University campus, which matched descriptions of the suspect’s car.
Additionally, Robinson’s roommate reportedly shared Discord messages that revealed Robinson’s plans to obtain the rifle, monitor its drop site, hide it wrapped in a towel, and engrave bullet casings.
Investigators recovered a high-powered Mauser .30-06 bolt-action rifle in nearby woodland, believed to be the weapon used in the shooting, along with those engraved bullet casings. Robinson is currently in custody in Washington County, Utah, awaiting formal charges. As of now, no charges have been officially filed. Under Utah law, he is required to make his initial court appearance within three days of his arrest. While Robinson’s parents are registered Republicans, reports say he himself was a nonpartisan voter and had not participated in recent elections.
