What Do Bullet Casings Reveal About Charlie Kirk Shooting?

Understanding the Engravings on Bullet Casings in the Charlie Kirk Shooting

The bullet casings found near the bolt-action rifle used in the shooting of Charlie Kirk have become a focal point of the investigation. These casings were engraved with messages that suggest the shooter had a background in online video gaming, roleplaying, and anti-fascist symbolism. Utah Governor Spencer Cox shared these details during a news conference on September 12, announcing the arrest of Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old suspect.

What Does 'OwO' Mean?

One of the engravings included the term "OwO," which references an emoticon used within the online "furry roleplaying" community. This emoticon is used to portray a cute, surprised face. It's similar to an emoji but uses keyboard characters instead of images. The origin of "OwO" can be traced back to 2013 when a DeviantArt user posted a photo of her fanfiction cover featuring furry characters, writing, "OwO What is this I'm working on?"

The Message: "Notices Bulges OwO what's this?"

Another engraving on an unfired cartridge read, "Notices bulges OwO what's this?" According to KnowYourMeme, this message is used ironically to "make fun" of the language commonly attributed to roleplayers and furries in the online gaming community. It reflects a playful or mocking tone toward certain subcultures within gaming circles.

"Hey Fascist! Catch!"

Among the engravings was the phrase "Hey fascist! Catch!" Governor Cox noted that this phrase most clearly showed the gunman's intent, stating, "I think that speaks for itself." This message indicates a direct reference to anti-fascist sentiment, suggesting the shooter may have been influenced by such ideologies.

Understanding the Term 'Fascist'

The term "fascist" refers to a political ideology, movement, or regime that emphasizes extreme nationalism, militarism, and the supremacy of the nation over the individual. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, this differs from liberal democracies that support individual rights, competitive elections, and political dissent.

The Meaning of "Bella Ciao"

One of the engravings featured the Italian words "bella ciao," which translate to "Goodbye beautiful" in English. This is a reference to the song "Bella Ciao," an Italian song dedicated to resistance fighters against Nazi troops during World War II. The song has gained renewed attention through Becky G's cover, which was featured in the Netflix series "Money Heist" (also known as "La Casa de Papel").

Lyrics of "Bella Ciao"

The song "Bella Ciao" has been translated into English in both Mondine and Partigiano versions. These translations capture the essence of the original lyrics, which express themes of resistance and farewell.

Symbols from "Helldivers 2"

Another set of engravings included symbols: "Up arrow, right arrow, and three down arrows." This pattern is recognizable to players of "Helldivers 2," a 2024 video game developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. In the game, this sequence is used to activate specific abilities, such as the "Eagle 500kg Bomb."

What Is "Helldivers 2"?

"Helldivers 2" is a third-person shooter game available on Windows and PlayStation 5. Players engage in missions to fend off hordes of enemies and can take four abilities into each match. The game features a "strategem system" that allows players to execute sequences of direction button or arrow key inputs.

The Eagle 500kg Bomb

The "Eagle 500kg Bomb" is one of the abilities players can use in "Helldivers 2." Activating this ability requires inputting the command up, right, down, down, down on the controllers. It results in a single-use tactical airstrike, which can be strategically deployed during gameplay.

Understanding "LMAO"

One of the bullet casings had the engraving, "If you read this, you are gay LMAO." In modern culture, "LMAO" stands for "laughing my ass off." This phrase is commonly used in texting and other forms of digital communication to express amusement.

Conclusion

The engravings on the bullet casings provide insight into the mindset of the shooter. They reflect a complex interplay of online gaming culture, roleplaying communities, and political ideologies. As the investigation continues, these details offer a glimpse into the motivations and influences of the individual involved in the tragic incident.