Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) revealed Friday that bullet casings uncovered as part of the investigation into the killing of Charlie Kirk had several messages inscribed on them, including “If you read this, you are gay LMAO” and “Notices Bulge: OwO what’s this?“
Reports had initially circulated early Thursday that engravings on the ammunition included expressions of “transgender and anti-fascist ideology.”
What Cox revealed was more aligned with internet meme culture.
The “what’s this” inscription, a reference to a parody of furry subculture, was on a spent shell casing in the rifle that authorities found in the woods near Utah Valley University.
One of three unfired casings in the gun read: “Hey fascist! Catch!,” along with what appeared to be a video game code: “Up arrow symbol, right arrow symbol, and three down arrow symbols,” according to Cox.
Another unspent casing read: “Oh Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Ciao, Ciao,” another popular meme that has been embraced by the populist movement and also jokingly in internet culture. The third unfired case read: “If you read this, you are gay LMAO.”
“I know there has been speculation as well as to the writing on those casings, those bullet casings,” Cox said.
Authorities said that suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, confessed after his father and others identified him as the suspect in photos released. He is being held in jail in Utah.
