The investigation into the fatal shooting of Trump supporter Kirk is also leading into the world of gaming and meme culture. But what do video games and ironic online clichés have to do with the assassination attempt?

In the search for a motive for the assassination of right-wing nationalist US activist Charlie Kirk, attention is also directed to the digital world in which the alleged perpetrator, Tyler R., moved. On platforms such as 4chan, Reddit, and TikTok, as well as in relevant memes, Kirk has long been the target of ridicule, irony—and violence.

FBI Director Kash Patel and Utah Governor Spencer Cox said at a press conference that the bullets were inscribed with several, sometimes cryptic, phrases. The bullet that fatally struck Kirk bore the phrase"Notices bulge OwO whats this?" It's a reference to an internet joke that has been circulating for years and originally stems from a "furry" role-playing game – in which people dress up in fluffy costumes and take on the role of anthropomorphized animals. Loosely translated, the phrase means"Notices a bulge in your crotch," with "OwO" being an emoticon meant to express cute surprise.

However, this is no proof that the perpetrator was a"furry," as the meme has long been part of common online discourse. It is often used to troll, or provoke, other users."Memes are cultural codes, symbolic building blocks that are easy to use. They are one of the most important forms of communication in a networked digital culture—nothing more, nothing less," explains media scholar Jan Claas van Treeck. Memes can therefore be used for harmless jokes as well as for political commentary or hate speech.

Numerous references in the digital world

Another shell allegedly read, among other things,"Hey fascist! Catch! ↑ → ↓↓↓." The arrows are a reference to the video game "Helldivers 2," in which such a key combination triggers the most powerful bomb attack."O bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao" was reportedly written on another shell, a reference to an Italian anti-fascist folk song that gained new popularity after its use in the Netflix series"Money Heist."

And finally, the controversial online phrase"If you're reading this, you're gay, lmao"—"lmao" stands for "I'm laughing my head off." This is also a phrase that was allegedly found on a bullet casing and is often used ironically in forums to provoke or troll.

Van Treeck isn't surprised that such references are found, as video and computer games have been part of culture for decades."Therefore, it's not surprising that Kirk's assassin allegedly uses computer game quotes from 'Helldivers 2' as a matter of course." He is picking up fragments of the culture that surrounds him.

Environment in which violence and pop culture are intertwined

Whether the perpetrator acted ideologically motivated and thus deliberately picked up on these specific references from the online community remains unclear. What is certain, however, is that he moved in an environment where violence, pop culture, and irony are closely intertwined.

This is typical of digital spaces, says van Treeck: The internet rewards statements that are quick, pointed, and effective."Real events ultimately compete with fictional ones for attention. So, when the video footage of Kirk's assassination circulates thousands of times online, it practically invites itself to be picked up, de- and re-contextualized, sampled, remixed, and memed."

Shortly after the attack, Tyler R. himself appeared in chat groups, as reported by the New York Times. In them, he responded ironically to the ongoing manhunt, speaking of a"doppelganger" trying to "get him into trouble." One user suggested handing him over to the FBI for the $100,000 reward."Only if I get a cut," R. replied.

No evidence of"radicalization through games"

Even before the assassination attempt, Kirk was regularly the target of various types of content, ranging from mocking to aggressive. His controversial statements made him a public figure, leading to online criticism, irony, aggression, and verbal violence. Numerous memes circulated online, ironizing his appearance or political positions.

A particularly popular clip was one from an abortion debate in which Kirk mistook a picture of a dolphin fetus for a human embryo. Screenshots of his facial expressions during talk shows were also widely shared and ridiculed.

Memes have become an integral part of online communities. They can be humorous, provocative, or even socially critical, providing insights into the mood of digital spaces. Some see them as an outlet, others warn against trivializing violence. Van Treeck emphasizes that one shouldn't hastily interpret the case as evidence of direct"radicalization through games."

"The question of whether Tyler R. may have been radicalized or more violent through computer games is reminiscent of the unspeakable and often irrelevant debate about violent video games." Studies show that while people prone to violence enjoy playing violent games, the assumption that games themselves make people violent must be clearly rejected.

Even if the reasons for Kirk's assassination remain unclear, the case highlights how closely real-life violence and the mechanisms of meme and gaming culture are intertwined.