The Chilling Truth: 7 Cryptic Messages Engraved On Bullets That Became Modern Manifestos
The phrase "what did the bullets say" has transcended a simple riddle or dark joke to become a chilling reference to a new and disturbing trend in real-world violence: the use of engraved ammunition as a final, cryptic manifesto. As of today, December 22, 2025, the phrase is inextricably linked to two high-profile American shootings, where the perpetrators etched specific, often politically charged or internet-culture messages onto the very rounds they fired.
This phenomenon forces a confrontation with the modern killer's mindset, one that seamlessly blends nihilistic internet humor with extreme political ideology. The messages recovered from the scenes—ranging from anti-fascist slogans to obscure 'furry' memes—offer a disturbing window into the digital lives of the shooters, turning the bullets into a final, tangible piece of digital-age communication.
Profile: Tyler Robinson—The Man Behind the Meme-Engraved Ammunition
The individual most closely associated with the "meme bullets" is Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. His profile, pieced together from public records and investigative reports, paints a picture of a young man whose life was deeply intertwined with online subcultures and evolving political radicalization.
- Full Name: Tyler Robinson
- Age at Incident: 22 years old
- Hometown/Origin: Washington, Utah
- Education/Career: At the time of his arrest, Robinson was reportedly enrolled in an electrical apprenticeship program.
- Incident: Suspect in the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
- Motive/Ideology: Reports indicate Robinson had recently turned political and held a strong hatred for Kirk's conservative views, despite his own family being staunchly Republican. His online activity suggested a blend of anti-fascist sentiments and deep immersion in irony-poisoned internet memes.
- Arrest: Robinson was arrested after his father recognized him from security photos and a family friend called authorities. He reportedly confessed to the shooting in a text message to his roommate.
The messages found on Robinson’s ammunition were so unique that Utah Governor Spencer Cox publicly read them aloud, highlighting the bizarre intersection of online trolling and real-world violence.
The Shocking Messages: What the Bullets Actually Said
The phrase "what did the bullets say" refers to two distinct, yet thematically linked, incidents. The messages are a mix of political manifestos and nihilistic internet jokes, revealing the shooters' attempts to communicate their worldview in their final, violent act.
The Charlie Kirk Shooting: Meme Culture Meets Political Violence
The ammunition used in the assassination of Charlie Kirk contained a disturbing mix of anti-fascist sentiment and obscure internet culture, primarily from the 'furry' and 'role-play' communities. The messages were reportedly a "big meme," according to a text from Robinson.
- "OwO what's this?" / "notices bulge uwu": This is perhaps the most widely cited message. The phrase "OwO what's this?" is an internet expression, often associated with the 'furry' subculture, used to denote curiosity or surprise, often in a suggestive context. Its presence on a murder weapon is a stark example of 'irony poisoning,' where dark humor and digital absurdity are applied to real-world horror.
- "Hey fascist! Catch!": A clear, direct anti-fascist message, this inscription explicitly ties the act of violence to a political ideology. The sentiment reflects Robinson's reported political radicalization and hatred for Kirk's conservative politics.
- "Bella Ciao": This is a reference to a famous Italian folk song that became the anthem of the anti-fascist resistance movement in Italy during World War II. The inclusion of "Bella Ciao" reinforces the political and ideological motivation behind the attack.
- Video Game References: Authorities also noted the presence of arrows and other symbols that seemed to be derived from popular video games and online trolling culture, further emphasizing the shooter's deep immersion in digital spaces.
The Brian Thompson Shooting: Corporate Retaliation
A separate incident involved the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. The messages found on the shell casings and recovered bullets were not internet memes but a direct commentary on the healthcare industry's business practices.
- "Delay": This word directly references the common accusation that health insurance companies intentionally delay the approval of necessary medical care to save money.
- "Deny": Similar to "Delay," this refers to the practice of denying coverage or claims, a tactic that critics argue is part of a deliberate corporate strategy.
- "Defend" / "Depose": While the third word is sometimes reported as "Defend," referencing the "delay, deny, defend" business model, other reports suggest the word "Depose" was also found. Regardless of the exact wording, the message is a clear, three-part indictment of corporate healthcare policy.
In this case, the bullets spoke not of political or cultural grievances, but of a deeply personal or systemic frustration with a major corporation, turning the ammunition into a pointed, real-world critique of the American healthcare system.
The Rise of the Ammunition Manifesto: Digital Grievances in a Physical World
The use of engraved ammunition represents a significant evolution in the psychology of the modern shooter's manifesto. Historically, manifestos were lengthy, written documents left behind to explain the shooter's motives. Today, the message is compressed, etched onto the very instrument of death, designed for immediate, viral consumption by a digital audience.
This trend transforms the act of violence into a piece of performance art for the internet. The messages are selected not just to express ideology but to provoke a reaction from a specific online community or a broader media audience. When Tyler Robinson texted his roommate that the messages were "mostly a big meme," he was acknowledging that the act was partially one of online trolling designed to maximize media confusion and reaction.
The blending of niche internet memes like 'OwO' with serious political slogans like 'Bella Ciao' creates a sense of ideological chaos, or what is often termed 'irony poisoning.' This is a state where the lines between sincere belief and satirical detachment are completely blurred, making the shooter's true intent difficult to decipher for anyone outside their specific digital echo chamber.
The phenomenon of the ammunition manifesto is a potent symbol of the digital age's influence on extremist behavior. It underscores the idea that a final message—a digital-age epitaph—is as important as the act of violence itself. As authorities continue to grapple with decoding these cryptic phrases, the engraved bullets serve as a grim reminder of how deeply internet culture has penetrated and warped the motivations behind real-world atrocities.
For law enforcement and mental health professionals, understanding "what did the bullets say" now requires not just forensic analysis, but a deep dive into the obscure, rapidly evolving lexicon of online memes and subcultures. The bullets are speaking a new language, and the world is struggling to understand their chilling message.
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