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In the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, investigators uncovered an unusual detail. The bullets used in the shooting carried engravings on their casings, linked to online culture, gaming slang, and antifascist symbolism.
Authorities confirmed on Friday that both fired and unfired rounds bore markings. According to a New York Times report dated September 12, 2025, Utah Governor Spencer Cox described these engravings while announcing the arrest of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old prime suspect. Among the inscriptions, one stood out for its strangeness.
“Notices bulges OwO what’s this?” it said.
While not officially confirmed, internet users speculated that this phrase allegedly appeared on the bullet casing that fatally struck Charlie Kirk. As per the KnowYourMeme website, this line originated in online furry and roleplay communities in 2013. It has since become a satirical meme often used in trolling contexts.
A Sky News report dated September 14, 2025, further explained that the line “Notices bulges OwO what’s this?” was commonly used by those who were “extremely online” and could have multiple interpretations. Jamie Cohen, an assistant professor of media studies at Queens College in New York, said the cryptic language should be seen as intentional misdirection.
“Oftentimes this extremely online disguise is meant to be doublespeak. It's meant specifically for someone like me...So it could just be another bait and switch for researchers who are falling into the same trap that they are designing for more viral exposure,” Cohen said.
Another bullet casing, displayed “up arrow, right arrow, and three down arrow symbols.” Authorities identified this as a direct reference to gaming culture, specifically the popular video game Helldivers 2, where the sequence activates bomb drops.
Some messages found on the casings, however, carried more explicit political undertones. Investigators reported that one casing read, “Hey fascist! Catch!” while another bore the phrase “Bella ciao,” an homage to the Italian folk song long associated with antifascist resistance during World War II.
Everything we know about Charlie Kirk’s assassination and its aftermath
Conservative political youth activist and media pro Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
He was addressing mass shootings in the United States during the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour” when, at around 12:20 pm local time, a single bullet struck him in the neck, resulting in his death.
The fatal moment was captured on video from multiple angles. Witnesses described seeing Kirk collapse backward before he hit the ground, as panic broke out among the crowd of thousands who scrambled for cover.
According to an NBC News report dated September 11, the gunman appeared to have fired from the rooftop of a building about 200 yards away. Utah Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason explained that the shooter, dressed in all black, quickly vanished after the attack.
The man accused of carrying out the assassination of Charlie Kirk was later identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, a Utah native.
BBC News reported on September 12 that Robinson was taken into custody after a 33-hour manhunt, which ended when his father recognized him from images released by authorities and persuaded him to surrender.
An affidavit from the state of Utah confirmed Robinson was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said he expected to file formal charges by Tuesday, September 16, when Robinson would also make his first court appearance.
Additionally, court filings also revealed that Charlie Kirk's murder suspect had no prior convictions or history of violent offenses, before his recent arrest.
Additionally, Charlie Kirk’s assassination unfolded against the backdrop of rising political violence in the United State. It has also reignited debate over the safety of public figures and whether open access to political leaders is worth the growing risks.
In the aftermath, several campaigns and political organizations canceled planned events, citing safety concerns. Former Secret Service special agent Rob Savage underscored the heightened danger.
“The arena they just stepped into, those threats, everything, is on the table. Because it’s just become that politically charged,” he said (as per CNN).
The investigation into Charlie Kirk’s murder remains ongoing. The prime suspect, Tyler Robinson, is currently being held without bail at Utah County Jail as authorities continue to dig into his background and potential motives.
