WASHINGTON (BN24) — Investigators say the suspect in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk left behind bullet casings etched with cryptic engravings that blend references to fascism, internet memes, and video game culture.
The messages, which at first glance may look like nonsense to those unfamiliar with online communities, are immediately recognizable to people steeped in internet culture. Experts describe them as “extremely online,” a term used to capture the deep immersion in digital subcultures where slang, emoticons, and coded references circulate rapidly.
Authorities revealed Friday that phrases engraved on the ammunition ranged from the Italian resistance anthem “Bella Ciao” to the internet emoticon “OwO,” a playful or mocking expression popular among online gamers and furry community members. Other casings contained strings of arrows resembling video game input codes, as well as direct references to fascism.
Internet slang with layered meanings
“OwO,” for instance, is widely recognized as an emoticon depicting a cute or surprised face. In furry fandom it is often used in flirtatious exchanges, but outside those circles it frequently appears as trolling shorthand or ironic mockery.
Experts caution that such symbols are rarely straightforward. “Oftentimes this extremely online disguise is meant to be doublespeak,” said Jamie Cohen, a Queens College professor who studies memes, in an interview with NBC News. “It could just be another bait and switch designed for more viral exposure.”
Gaming references
One casing carried the inscription: “Hey, fascist! Catch ↑ → ↓↓↓.” While the opening line seems like a political statement, the sequence of arrows was quickly recognized by players of Helldivers 2, a 2024 cooperative video game. The code summons a 500-kilogram bomb within the game, itself framed as a satirical commentary on fascism.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, asked about the engraving by Sky News, said the reference to fascism “speaks for itself,” but noted the broader cultural context remained complex.
The song ‘Bella Ciao’
Another inscription read: “Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao.” The lyrics come from the famed Italian folk song associated with anti-fascist resistance against Benito Mussolini during World War II.
“Bella Ciao” has since been revived as a cultural anthem, gaining global popularity through the Spanish Netflix series Money Heist and viral remixes that have attracted hundreds of millions of plays on Spotify and TikTok. It also appears frequently within gaming and meme communities.
Experts urge caution
While the messages appear to mix politics, satire, and internet humor, researchers warn against drawing direct conclusions about the suspect’s ideology. “These kinds of inscriptions are often layered and designed to confuse or provoke,” Cohen said.
The case underscores how digital subcultures, memes, and gaming references increasingly surface in real-world violence — making interpretation both vital and fraught with risk.
SKY.COM
