Governor Spencer Cox of Utah reported on September 12, 2025, that bullet casings with inscriptions were found near the rifle associated with Tyler Robinson, the individual suspected of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. During the announcement, Cox stated that some casings had anti-fascist messages. One casing read, “Hey fascist! Catch! ↑ → ↓ ↓ ↓.” Another featured lyrics from the Italian anti-fascist anthem “Bella Ciao, bella ciao.” Additional, unrelated messages were also present on the casings. These casings were linked to 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a Utah resident. Reports indicate that Tyler threatened suicide when confronted by his father regarding the murder.
“Bella Ciao” is a renowned Italian song from World War II, representing a protest song adopted by Italian workers and later by partisans who resisted the Nazi and fascist regimes. The song’s precise origins are debated, but it has become widely known in recent years, appearing in television shows and video games. “Bella Ciao” is traditionally sung annually on April 25th, during Italy’s Liberation Day, commemorating the end of the Nazi occupation and the downfall of Benito Mussolini’s fascist government. Performers such as Tom Waits and Becky G have recorded their versions of the song. The song also has been used in recent protests against the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the European Parliament. “One morning I woke up,” is the opening line of the song, which was also featured in the Netflix series Money Heist.
