Senior Assassin water gun competition prompts police alerts nationwide

Warnings Issued Over Popular Game Among Students

Law enforcement and school officials nationwide are advising students to avoid a game that has gained popularity, citing potential dangers.

“Senior Assassin” is typically played by high school seniors. In it, participants roam their campus, attempting to ‘eliminate’ opponents using water guns. The goal is to stay dry, dodging being splashed while trying to soak opponents. The last student remaining dry is proclaimed the winner.

However, police are sounding alarms about the game, indicating it can lead to wasted resources and unintended dangers.

For instance, the Lower Makefield Police Department in Pennsylvania noted on social media that yearly they receive 911 calls regarding what turns out to be this game. They emphasized that even toy guns can be mistaken for real firearms, inciting fear and causing misunderstandings.

Last year, there was a distressing incident involving an 18-year-old in Jacksonville, Florida. An off-duty law enforcement officer mistakenly identified the student and his friends as intruders during a water gun game. Thankfully, the student survived, but authorities warned that such games present serious risks.

In response to these incidents, Florida officials have urged parents to prevent their children from engaging in the game.

Similarly, the Fremont Police Department in California issued a warning via Instagram, noting that while participants use only fake weapons, the behavior associated with the game can lead to public concern.

It was also reported that a recent game at Anza Trail School near Tucson, Arizona, sparked a police investigation. A teacher, seeing a student with a water gun, thought it was a real weapon and called 911, prompting police to contact the boy’s parents.

The Sahuarita Police Department later clarified that the boy had brought toy Orbees as part of the Senior Assassin prank, assuring the community that the toy gun was not real or loaded. They reiterated the seriousness with which they treat such calls, thanking the public for their vigilance.