Utah furry communities face harassment after unfounded claims that Kirk shooting suspect was a furry

OREM, Utah (ABC4) — After unconfirmed reports that the man suspected of shooting and killing conservative figure Charlie Kirk had connections to the furry subculture, Utah furry organizations have been overwhelmed with harassment and threats.

United Utah Furry Fandom (also known as U2F2) is a Utah community group for furries, and they released a statement condemning the spread of conspiracy theories following the harassment they have been facing. Another Utah furry group, Southern Utah Furs, has made their social media accounts private in the wake of these claims circulating online.

A member of the community who asked to remain anonymous told ABC4.com that a weekly game night was canceled and there have been threats made involving upcoming meetups, including one at FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested and charged with the September 10 killing of Charlie Kirk at a speaking event on UVU campus. He has been charged with aggravated murder, among other charges, and the Utah County Attorney General has indicated that the state will seek the death penalty.

There have been unconfirmed reports online and from some media outlets that Robinson was a member of the local Utah furry community, which have resulted in furry groups being subject to harassment and targeted attacks.

Furries are an internet subculture focused on a shared interest in anthropomorphic animals, and the fandom often involves hobbies like making art, attending furry conventions, and making or wearing fursuits. Utah’s furry community recently raised $36,000 for charity at Anthro Weekend Utah, a yearly furry convention in Layton.

What Utah furry communities had to say

Southern Utah Furs provided the following statement to ABC4.com:

The Southern Utah Furs have no connection to Tyler Robinson or [his roommate/romantic partner], and neither individual has ever been a member of our group or attended any of our events. Recent claims circulating online suggesting otherwise are false and misleading. Our community is focused on creating a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for members of the furry fandom in Southern Utah. We strongly condemn the spread of misinformation and attempts to associate our group with these tragic events.”
Southern Utah Furs

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U2F2 also issued a statement on their website in response to harassment they received, condemning the spread of hate and conspiracy theories. They also provided a more extensive statement to ABC4.com.

In the statement, U2F2 wrote that they wanted to make it clear that they are a separate organizational body from the Southern Utah furs. “Neither are we directly associated with any individuals in any group who have recently engaged in political discourse surrounding the tragic and unsettling events in Utah,” they wrote.

They also stated that organizers and leaders of the community have been subjected to harassment and attacks “due to false associations and misinformation.” They denied any involvement in any political discourse related to the killing of Charlie Kirk and stated, “Any suggestion otherwise is both unfounded and harmful.”

We condemn in the strongest terms the spreading of hate, conspiracy theories, and misinformation from any side of the political spectrum. For years, our leaders and volunteers have dedicated themselves to creating safe, welcoming, and joyful spaces for others–a mission that has always been the foundation of the fandom. Our community is built on creativity, inclusivity, and mutual support. From fundraising for charitable causes, to volunteering at local events, to providing a space where people can express themselves without fear of judgement, the furry community in Utah and beyond has consistently demonstrated benevolence and goodwill.”
United Utah Furry Fandom

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“We are saddened that our community has been dragged into this climate of hostility, and our thoughts remain with everyone directly affected by these tragic events,” the statement continued. U2F2 said that false narratives being spread have made volunteers and community leaders “vulnerable to ongoing public suspicion and harm.”

They stated that the core of U2F2 is “a commitment to safety, inclusivity, and joy,” and they will continue to “foster a welcoming space for all who wish to participate in good faith.” They also called on members of the media and the public to “hold themselves to a higher standard” by seeking out truth and avoiding harmful assumptions that place innocent people at risk.

The full statement from U2F2’s website can be read below.

What we know about Robinson’s connection to internet subcultures

Several of the bullets found alongside the rifle investigators believe was used to kill Kirk were inscribed with phrases that are internet memes. The fired bullet casing was inscribed with, “NoTices Bulge OWO What’s This?” Three unfired bullets were inscribed with the following phrases: “Hey Fascist! Catch!” followed by arrow symbols, “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao Ciao, ciao!”, and “If you Read This, You Are GAY Lmao”.

“OWO” is an emoticon that is intended to look like a surprised face. “Notices bulge OWO what’s this?” is a meme referencing a comic that mocked furry roleplay, but the phrase is used widely as a joke across multiple internet subcultures.

The arrow symbols on the bullet inscribed with “Hey Fascist! Catch!” could be a reference to the video game “Helldivers 2,” where typing those arrows in the game will summon a bomb that creates a large explosion.

“O Bella Ciao, Bella ciao” is likely a reference to a famous World War II Italian anti-fascist song that has regained popularity following its inclusion in modern pop culture like the Netflix series “Money Heist” and video game “Far Cry 6.”

Messages exchanged between Robinson and his roommate/romantic partner were shared with investigators, and those messages were exchanged on the app Discord, a social platform used for text, voice, and video chatting. Discord is widely used by a variety of internet subcultures.

Nothing in any of the documents released by police connect Robinson to furry communities or any other specific online subculture.

According to the charging documents, Robinson’s mother told police that he had become “more political” over the last year and become more “pro-gay and trans-rights oriented.” She also told police that Robinson had accused Charlie Kirk of “spreading hate” in a conversation prior to the shooting.