On September 12, 2025, Utah Governor Spencer Cox disclosed that investigators found bullet casings with specific inscriptions near the rifle allegedly used by Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the shooting of Charlie Kirk. The Governor explained that some casings were engraved with anti-fascist slogans. One casing contained the message, “Hey fascist! Catch! ↑ → ↓ ↓ ↓,” while another featured the lyrics of “Bella Ciao,” a famous Italian anti-fascist anthem. Additional messages were also present. The casings are believed to be connected to 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a resident of Utah. According to reports, Robinson threatened self-harm when confronted about the murder.
“Bella Ciao” is a celebrated Italian song from the WWII era, born out of protest. It was taken up by Italian workers and later by partisans fighting against the Nazi and fascist regimes. The exact origins of the song are unknown, but its popularity has surged in recent years, making its way into television and video games. The song is sung annually on April 25th during Italy’s Liberation Day to mark the end of the Nazi occupation and the demise of Benito Mussolini’s fascist rule. Over the years, various artists, including Tom Waits and Becky G, have covered “Bella Ciao.” It was even used during protests against Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and at the European Parliament. The song begins with the lines, “One morning I woke up.” and was also part of the hit Netflix series Money Heist.