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Utah Governor Spencer Cox described how authorities discovered phrases engraved on ammunition found alongside a rifle near the scene where Charlie Kirk was murdered.
According to one expert, the inscriptions were filled with memes and jokes, likely intended for an online audience.
Jamie Cohen, a professor at Queens College, City University of New York and an expert in internet culture and memes, said the alleged shooter referenced video games and an Italian anti-fascist song. Here’s what was found on the bullets:
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Up arrow, right arrow, and three down arrows: This sequence may be a reference to the video game Helldivers 2, where similar controller inputs are used to deploy bombs.
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“Hey, fascist! Catch!”: Governor Cox described this at a press conference as a direct and ominous message. “I think that speaks for itself,” he said. However, Cohen pointed out it could also reference Helldivers, a satirical video game that parodies fascist regimes — the phrase being something a player might say when launching an attack.
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“Bella Ciao”: While not a meme, this phrase is the title of a famous WWII-era Italian anti-fascist song, Cohen noted.
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“Notices bulges OwO what’s this?”: This line originates from an older meme that circulated on 4chan, an unmoderated online forum. It’s associated with furry subculture and often used in a humorous or ironic context related to gender ambiguity, Cohen said. He added, “Many of these phrases function as dog whistles — they’re intentionally cryptic and only recognizable to those familiar with certain online subcultures.”
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Who Is Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk born October 14, 1993 is an American conservative political activist, author, and media personality. He is best known as the founder and executive director of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), which is a nonprofit organization that promotes conservative values, especially among young Americans on high school and college campuses.
Kirk launched his champion (TPUSA) in 2012 when he was just 18 years old. Under his leadership, the organization has grown into a prominent force in conservative politics, known for its aggressive social media presence, campus activism, and high-profile events such as AmericaFest. TPUSA’s goal centers on promoting free markets, limited government, and American exceptionalism, though it has also faced criticism for divisive rhetoric and controversial tactics.
Above all, Mr. Kirk was a devoted husband and a loving father of two.
In addition to his work with TPUSA, Charlie Kirk hosts The Charlie Kirk Show, a daily podcast and radio program where he discusses politics, culture, and current events from a right-wing perspective. He is also a frequent guest on conservative media outlets like Fox News and Newsmax.
Kirk has authored several books, including The MAGA Doctrine (2020), in which he outlines the ideological framework of Donald Trump’s political movement. A vocal supporter of Trump, Kirk has become a prominent figure in the post-2016 conservative landscape, often blending populist, nationalist, and traditional conservative viewpoints.
While supporters view him as a bold and passionate advocate for conservative youth and values, critics argue that he spreads misinformation and contributes to political polarization.
As of 2025, Charlie Kirk remains an influential and polarizing figure in American conservative politics.
What Happened To Charlie Kirk?
As of September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk died at the age of 31 following a campus shooting at Utah Valley University. In-front of his wife and 2 children.
Mr. Kirk sustained a gunshot wound to the neck during the incident and was transported to a nearby hospital. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
President Donald J. Trump publicly announced the passing of Charlie Kirk
Our President Donald J. Trump released this following statement:
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart ofthe Youth of the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
President Donald J. Trump did not issue just one statement regarding Charlie Kirk’s passing — he released a second as
well, further emphasizing the depth of his admiration and grief.
Utah Valley University official says suspected shooter was in nearby building
Treanor, associate vice president of strategic communication management at Utah Valley University, said that shots were fired at Charlie Kirk from a building about 200 yards from the tent where he was speaking.
Treanor also stated that Kirk was “immediately” taken away from campus by his security team following the shooting.
A suspect has been taken into custody, according to the university.
‘Subject’ arrested in fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, FBI says
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, law enforcement officials have confirmed that a person of interest has been taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting.
“The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody,” Patel wrote on X. “Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi. We will provide updates when able.”
Utah Gov Spencer Cox calls Charlie Kirk shooting a ‘political assassination’
Utah Gov Spencer Cox said a suspect in the shooting of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday is in custody, adding the murder was “a political assassination.”
“This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation. I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination,” he said during a press conference. “We are celebrating 250 years of the founding of this great nation. That founding document, the Declaration of Independence, that this great experiment on which we embarked together 250 years ago, that we are endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights.
“The first one of those is life, and today a life was taken,” Cox continued. “Charlie Kirk was first and foremost a husband and a dad to young children. He was also very much politically involved and that’s why he was here on campus. Charlie believed in the power of free speech and debate to shape ideas and to persuade people.”
“We will find you. We will try to find you and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law,” the governor said. “And I just want to remind people that we still have the death penalty here in the state of Utah.”
Utah Valley University confirms suspect initially in custody released
UVU Police are current investigating in conjunction with the Orem Police Department, Utah Department of Public Safety and the FBI, according to the spokesperson. This is after informing Fox News Digital that the original suspect that was initially in custody has since been released. 
“It is with the tremendous sadness and shock that Charlie Kirk, who was invited by the student group TPUSA, was shot at about 12:20 when he began speaking at his planned event on the Utah Valley University Orem Campus,” the school wrote in a statement. “We are asking those still on campus to secure in place until police officers can safely escort them off campus.”
The campus was immediately evacuated and remains closed until further notice. Classes have been cancelled.
Murder In Custody
The suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk has been identified as Tyler Robinson and is currently being held without bail in a Utah jail, facing multiple charges including aggravated murder, according to officials.
Authorities say Robinson’s father urged him to surrender after he confessed to the crime. In response, Robinson allegedly said, “I would rather kill myself than turn myself in.”
Tyler Robinson’s father began to suspect his son might be the shooter after recognizing him in photos released by authorities. He confronted him directly, saying, “Tyler, is this you? This looks like you,” a law enforcement source told Miller.
The father then encouraged Robinson to speak with a youth pastor affiliated with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service. During that conversation, Robinson reportedly confessed to the crime, according to the source.
The FBI confirmed that Robinson was taken into custody around 10 p.m. local time last night.
Messages Engraved On Bullets
Former President’s Statements
Former President Barack Obama condemned the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
He called the assassination “despicable” that has no place in our democracy.
“We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy,” Obama wrote on X.
“Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children,” he added.
Former President Biden took to social media on Wednesday after Charlie Kirk was announced dead in the wake of a shooting during a college campus speaking engagement in Utah.
“There is no place in our country for this kind of violence,” wrote Biden. “It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
Kirk was a father of two and a conservative commentator who would have turned 32 next month.
Whether you agreed with Charlie Kirk’s views or not, his presence in the political landscape was undeniable. He sparked debates, energized movements, and challenged a generation to speak up — loudly and often. As the conversation continues without him, his influence will remain a lasting part of the story. For his supporters, his legacy is one of conviction and courage; for his critics, a reminder of the deep divisions shaping our times. But for all, his passing marks the end of a voice that stirred America’s youth, and the beginning of a chapter where those voices must now carry on without him. He was a husband and a father of two, a man with a life beyond the headlines. Agree with his views or not, it’s important to remember that behind the public figure was a real person, with a family who loved him and is now grieving his loss.
sources:
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/charlie-kirk-shooting-investigation-09-16-25
