Bullets recovered from the rifle used to kill conservative political activist Charlie Kirk had anti-fascist and other messages engraved on the casings.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox detailed the inscriptions on one fired shell casing and three unfired rounds found in the magazine of the .30-06-caliber bolt-action rifle that authorities say 22-year Tyler Robinson fired at Kirk during an event Wednesday at Utah Valley University.
“The rifle had a scope mounted on top of it. Investigators noted inscriptions that had been engraved on casings found with the rifle. Inscriptions on a fired casing read: “Notices, bulges, OwO what’s this?” Cox said at a press conference Friday.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during a press conference while joined by commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety Beau Mason and FBI Director Kash Patel and other local and federal law enforcement and government officials in the Pope Science Building on the campus of UVU in Orem on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
The phrase “Notices, bulges, OwO what’s this?” is an internet meme that references online roleplaying, particularly within the furry community. The line is often used to troll or mock people in online communities.
“OwO” is a chat emoticon, with the two O’s representing wide and open eyes, and the w a cutesy anime-styled mouth, while and “what’s this?” denotes cuteness or curiosity. The terms is frequently referenced by video game streamers.
The inscriptions on the unfired casings read:
“Hey fascist! CATCH!” with an up arrow symbol, a right arrow symbol and down three arrow symbols
“O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Ciao, ciao
“If you read this, you are GAY Lmao”
What do the messages on the shell casings mean?
Cox wouldn’t speculate on the meanings of the words, telling reporters, “Well, I will leave that up to you to interpret what those engravings mean. I think the clearest one that says ‘catch fascist’ . . . I think that speaks for itself.”
Law enforcement sets up a barricade after Charlie Kirk was shot during Turning Point USA’s visit to Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
“O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, ciao, ciao” is the opening line of the Italian folk song “Bella Ciao.” It translated to “Goodbye beautiful, goodbye beautiful, goodbye beautiful, goodbye, goodbye,” in English.
The song was an Italian resistance movement anthem during World War II, particularly among anti-fascists. It expresses themes of farewell, freedom, resistance and sacrifice.
Also, over time “Bella Ciao” has become a symbol of resistance against oppression and tyranny in various political and social contexts.
“LMAO” is an acronym for “laughing my ass off” and is commonly used in online communication to indicate that something is very funny.
Cox said a family member told investigators that Robinson, of Washington County, Utah, had become more political in recent years. At a recent family dinner, Robinson mentioned Kirk was coming to UVU.
These two mugshots released by the FBI show Tyler Robinson. | FBI
“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” the governor said. “The family member also stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate.”
Investigators arrested Robinson on Thursday night in Washington County. He is held in the Utah County Jail. Cox said authorities believe he acted alone, but the investigation is ongoing.