The Helldivers 2 community has found itself at the center of unwanted attention after authorities confirmed that the game was referenced in an inscription found on a bullet casing at the scene of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing in Utah.

Bullet Casing with Game Reference

On September 10, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. Investigators later revealed that one bullet casing carried an engraving matching the Eagle 500kg Bomb stratagem code from Helldivers 2, a devastating in-game ability. Other casings included meme references, political phrases, and song lyrics, but the video game code became a particular focus.

The case has prompted wider debate after U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. linked video games to gun violence, despite the mixed nature of the engravings.

Community Distancing from Violence

Players across Reddit and Discord quickly moved to disassociate the game from the shooting. Community members emphasized that Helldivers 2 is purely fictional and should not be connected to real-world acts of violence.

The official Discord was flooded with statements rejecting any link, while moderators on the r/Helldivers subreddit locked the board temporarily after being overwhelmed with off-topic posts.

Subreddit Moderation Response

Moderators later explained that within an hour of the news breaking, the subreddit was “absolutely flooded” with posts violating its ban on real-world politics. They clarified that no bans were issued during the initial wave, but new rules now warn that anyone referencing the case in Helldivers 2 discussions faces suspensions of at least seven days.

The moderation team reiterated that the community “does not support or condone real-world political violence.”

About Helldivers 2

Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Helldivers 2 is a cooperative third-person shooter that launched in February 2024 for PS5 and PC, with an Xbox Series X version arriving in August. The satirical game casts players as soldiers from “Super Earth,” tasked with spreading “managed democracy” in battles against alien species.

As of now, Arrowhead Game Studios has not released a public statement regarding the case.