Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old, is said to have confessed to fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week in an online chat group. Reports indicate that Robinson expressed, “Guys, I have bad news for you. I was from UVU yesterday. [I’m] Sorry for all of this,” using accounts believed to belong to him.
Discord hasn’t provided any comments when reached for input by The Hill. A source informed CBS that there is no evidence suggesting the suspects had planned anything violent within the platform.
Interestingly, bullet casings found at the crime scene contained messages that seem to reflect gaming culture. Some read, “Hey fascist! Catch!” while others displayed, “Oh Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao” and “If you read this, you’re gay Lmao.”
The messages might reference actions in the popular video game Helldivers 2, which satirizes fascism. The term “Bella Ciao” is associated with a well-known Italian folk song that gained prominence as an anti-fascist anthem after World War II, often appearing in various media, including video games and shows like Netflix’s “Money Heist.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox mentioned on Sunday that Robinson seemed deeply influenced by a darker side of online culture, suggesting he had been immersed in communities on platforms like Reddit. He noted, “You saw it in the casing. I had no idea what those inscriptions mean, but they are certainly memeizations that are happening in our society today.”
The coverage of Kirk’s death has been extensive, particularly following the rapid spread of a graphic video online. Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA, had strong connections with prominent figures such as President Trump and Vice President Vance.
In light of the incident, Republican lawmakers and Trump have criticized Democrats for their rhetoric following violent acts and threats. Furthermore, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses informed his staff that the Pentagon is monitoring social media and comments related to the event, a sentiment echoed by the Department of Homeland Security.
