Charlie Kirk Assassination Suspect Tyler Robinson Linked To 'Furry Subculture': All You Need To Know
Tyler Robinson was arrested on Thursday night after relatives and a family friend alerted authorities that he had implicated himself in the crime.
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The 22-year-old Utah trade school student, Tyler Robinson, accused in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, reportedly has connections to the "furry subculture," according to The New York Post's expert sources. Investigators discovered bullet casings at the crime scene inscribed with peculiar messages including "Hey fascist! Catch!", "Notices bulges OWO what's this?" (terminology associated with furry communities and internet trolling), and "Bella Ciao" (an Italian anti-fascist anthem).
The Daily Mail reported finding an account on FurAffinity.net with a username matching Robinson's other online gaming profiles. This furry-focused account allegedly contained sexualized cartoon animal imagery.
Robinson's online presence suggests involvement in various internet subcultures. He may also have connections to the Groyper movement, a far-right, antisemitic group led by Nick Fuentes.
This case underscores mounting worries about social media radicalization and the potential for online subcultures to manifest as real-world violence.
Also Read | "Radicalised Online": Utah Authorities Say Charlie Kirk's Killer Not Cooperating
What Is "Furry Subculture"?
The furry subculture centers around anthropomorphic animal characters called "fursonas" - creations that blend human and animal characteristics, allowing for personalized self-expression. Popular fursona species include wolves, foxes, dogs, cats, and dragons. Community members typically connect via platforms like Fur Affinity, WikiFur, conventions, and various social media sites.
The community primarily focuses on creativity, identity exploration, and social connection, rather than sexual content, though some members do incorporate sexual elements. Importantly, being a furry differs from identifying as a therian; furries engage in anthropomorphic animal roleplay, while therians believe they possess an animal spirit.
Also Read | 2 Utah Men Arrested For "Threat Of Terrorism" Days After Charlie Kirk Shooting
Queens College media studies Associate Professor Jamie Cohen explained that the "Notices bulge" meme depicts two men wearing cat ears seated across from each other with computers, potentially representing catfishing behavior where individuals misrepresent their identities.
Digital researcher Alex Turvy noted that the "OWO" emoticon originates from gaming culture, representing a wide-eyed cat face. Turvy described it as "copypasta" - text intentionally copied and shared widely online.
"It essentially demonstrates fluency in internet language," the digital expert explained. "It functions as an inside joke, and referencing it signals your identity - that you're deeply embedded in online culture."
According to Turvy, Robinson spent significant time in online communities. Kirk's killing has sparked widespread discussions about political violence, with global vigils being held while certain left-wing figures face criticism for celebratory responses.
Tyler Robinson Arrested
Governor Spencer Cox announced Friday that authorities apprehended Robinson Thursday evening after family members and an associate informed officials that he had implicated himself in the shooting. The arrest concluded a 33-hour search for the lone suspect in Wednesday's killing.
"I'll leave interpretation of those engravings to you," Cox stated regarding the messages. He observed that the phrase "Hey Fascist! Catch!" was self-explanatory.