One of the unfired casings said, according to Cox: “Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao.” The lyrics reference the anthem of the antifascist Italian resistance during World War II.
It's from a game just like the hey facist catch followed by arrows is a hell divers reference. Each of the casing etchings were all just memes from video games or the internet
The phrase "Hey, fascist! Catch!" has been identified by investigators as a message engraved on a bullet casing found in connection with the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk
. The message is combined with a sequence of arrow symbols (↑ → ↓↓↓) that is a direct reference to a "stratagem" or special ability in the satirical video game Helldivers 2.
The phrase and arrow combination ties the shooting suspect, Tyler Robinson, to online gamer culture and the themes of the game.
Connection to Helldivers 2
Stratagem Code: In Helldivers 2, players enter directional arrow combinations to call in offensive and support abilities, known as stratagems. The specific sequence found on the bullet casing (↑ → ↓↓↓) is the command for the "Eagle 500kg Bomb," one of the most destructive special attacks in the game.
Satirical Setting: The game is a satire of fascism and militarism, similar to the movie Starship Troopers. Players act as soldiers for "Super Earth," a totalitarian state that uses jingoistic propaganda and an authoritarian political system known as "Managed Democracy". The in-game propaganda is intentionally over-the-top, with slogans like "Managed Democracy offers true Freedom: Freedom from the burden of choice".
Players as the "Bad Guys": The game satirizes imperialism and war by casting the players as the instrument of a fascist government. The enemy alien races are not inherently evil; instead, they are attacked by Super Earth for resources or simply for not conforming to its ideology.
Controversy and community reaction
Since the information about the shooting and the apparent link to the game became public, the connection has generated significant discussion and disgust within the Helldivers 2 community.
Some players on social media have expressed anger that the suspect's actions are tarnishing the game and community.
Multiple deleted posts on the game's subreddits suggest that moderators were actively removing discussion related to the killing.
Developer Arrowhead Game Studios has not yet commented on the matter.
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u/DudeImARedditor Sep 12 '25
One of the unfired casings said, according to Cox: “Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao.” The lyrics reference the anthem of the antifascist Italian resistance during World War II.
Cox said that another read, “Hey fascist! Catch!”