Multiple police departments warn parents and community members that a nationwide game between high school students later this week could have deadly consequences.
On social media, several police agencies are sounding the alarm on a game called “Senior Assassin.” In this game, participants are given another player’s name and tasked with hunting and tagging, usually with a water gun, to eliminate them until there is a single winner.
“The Arlington Heights Police Department wants to convey important information to community members by letting you know about an online, live-action game called Senior Assassin.
This game is played by High School students throughout the country, including here in Arlington Heights. It is an annual springtime tradition for students, especially seniors.
Participants attempt to forego match elimination by squirting other players using a water gun with a goal of being the last person remaining in the game,” police in the Village of Arlington Heights wrote on Facebook Friday. The post continued: “The concept is not against the law or a local ordinance.
We ask everyone to play safely, use common sense, and recognize how members of the community may perceive players’ actions. The unintentional result of participants running throughout the community with a water gun, some often resembling a look-alike firearm, could have deadly consequences.”
Police issued the warning as the game’s rules often dictate players cannot play on school grounds or within classrooms, thus bringing their game into the public, where bystanders may not be aware of what is happening.
“Players attempt to locate their opponents at various sites, including home, local parks, and other gathering spaces within the community. Students will often hide in odd spots, chase targets through yards and appear suddenly in a vehicle or on foot,” Arlington Heights police said.
“The police department does not condone or support the cited objectives in this game. An increasing number of individuals in the State of Illinois possess a Concealed Carry License, which allows them to carry a concealed firearm in public for self-defense. We are alerting residents that this springtime game has begun.”
In addition to seeing participants suspiciously hiding around town, the use of water guns can produce deadly consequences if bystanders suspect the weapon is real.
“The Police Department has received calls regarding the associated activity. One such call resulted in a significant police response based on a homeowner reporting a ‘man with a gun’ running through their residential yard. Please do not assume any similar suspicious activity observed is related to this game. Any unusual activity should be reported immediately by calling 9-1-1,” the Arlington Heights Police Department wrote.
