topic Re: Senior Assassin “Game” in Community Chat

Senior Assassin “Game”

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:45:40 GMT

Do the graduating high school seniors play this game in your area?

I just heard about it. When I was in high school we had Senior Ditch Day where everyone would cut class and go to the beach. Nowadays the teens are descending on the public in this right of passage, trying to "assinate" their fellow classmates by tagging them with water guns. It goes on for a period of time as players are "eliminated" and there's an ultimate winner.

There's a story coming out of Northwest Indiana about it. The overview is that the other day, early afternoon, a citizen observed a young man near a business, acting suspiciously. He was hiding near the said business, peeking around and checking his surroundings while trying to avoid being seen. He had gun that he repeatedly put in and out of his waistband and his body language was nervous. The observing citizen called the police, gave a description of what the guy looked like and told the 911 operator what he was doing, and that he had the weapon. Since this was happening during school hours, law enforcement believed they had a real emergency on their hands. About a dozen officers responded. When they arrived, the high school student was in his car and was detained. On the passenger seat was a water gun. It was not your dollar store neon colored water pistol. It was very different, big, and looked very real (even to a cop) from just a few feet away. The student, an 18 yr. old football player, honor student, all around good kid was arrested on a felony charge of intimidation and taken to jail. His mother is outraged as are many responding on social media saying things like, "it's just a game". "let kids be kids", "wish we had this when I was a kid". This guy now has a record and will have to appear in court. I have a feeling the charges will be reduced and there may be a fine or community service. It all could have been avoided.

First of all, I think it's an awful name regardless if it's a game. Call it something else. Secondly, if you're going to participate follow the rules and don't be stupid. Use a bright colored water gun that's obviously a toy. Better yet, tag your targets with a marker so guns aren't even part of it.

In theory, some may say it's harmless fun, a tradition, but things could have gone horribly wrong with this situation. That kid could have gotten himself shot! And because of his actions and all the responding LE, what other true "situations" were in progress at the time but not receiving due attention? The police have also received calls reporting road rage, reckless driving, and carjacking associated with this game.

Not a good idea, IMO.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

We rescue cats — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:31:04 GMT

My first inclination is that this is an unsafe and dangerous 'game'. If one wishes to pay such a game then doing so in different environment, such as a facility set up for this type of 'fun', not in public where folks can be frightened.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

Still Raining — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:57:15 GMT

You just can't fix stupid. I feel sorry for LE dealing with this stuff.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

Lakelife62 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:01:57 GMT

Kids played cops and robbers with toy guns for years.

Doesn't surprise me that teens, who have grown up learning to hide from gun massacres in the classroom, would up the ante of an old-school childhood game.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

MoJoV — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:07:44 GMT

That's a good way for a "senior assassin" to get killed. I hope the police press charges, big charges, on these fools.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:16:07 GMT

I just saw the kid's mom on TV, being interviewed. Apparently the boy spent three days in jail. He also has academic and football scholarships that could now be in jeopardy.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

newjersey — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:21:46 GMT

This 'game' is not a good idea.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

teganslaw — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:26:16 GMT

My area has that problem. A fitness center has banned anyone who carries a water gun. Students knocked down a man while playing this game, and some people have fallen because of slick spots caused by the water guns. The game looks real and can be a danger to others.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

RetRN — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:35:15 GMT

It is sad that the police have to spend time dealing with this type of nonsense. They have enough on their plates to deal with. It is an example of kids running wild thinking these dangerous activities are funny. The parents don't care and always stick up for the kids wanting to take no accountability for the actions of their children. The kids know that at most they will get a slap on the wrist.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

ThinkingOutLoud — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:43:36 GMT

@Lakelife62 wrote:
Kids played cops and robbers with toy guns for years.
Doesn't surprise me that teens, who have grown up learning to hide from gun massacres in the classroom, would up the ante of an old-school childhood game.

Unfortunately, this generation has grown up on video games and this 'game' is more akin to playing one of those out.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

haddon9 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:57:02 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch I never heard of this "game" but everything that you said makes sense! I agree that it should be called something else.

I think all water guns (and they can be a lot of fun) should be neon colored. It's ridiculous for some to look real. Great way to get hurt or worse.

I agree with another poster that this should be confined to a specific location set up for this....great new business idea.

Road rage, reckless driving or carjacking should have nothing to do with a water gun fight! That is far too reckless. There should be responsible rules for this game but we are talking about teens. Too bad many are raised with lack of rules and consequences for bad moves.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

Travone — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:04:47 GMT

It's all fun and games until someone gets killed.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

Coastalcarolina — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:16:04 GMT

Well of course the mom is outraged 🙄. Some families think the world should revolve around them. These young people are going to find out life is tough when mommy can't protect them when they break laws.

In this day and age, schools are on lockdown every day for suspicious activity, so don't go around looking like you are up to no good.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

Lakelife62 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:17:51 GMT

@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
@Lakelife62 wrote:
Kids played cops and robbers with toy guns for years.
Doesn't surprise me that teens, who have grown up learning to hide from gun massacres in the classroom, would up the ante of an old-school childhood game.
Unfortunately, this generation has grown up on video games and this 'game' is more akin to playing one of those out.

And the kids who played cowboys and indians and cops and robbers....what did they grow up on?

Same thing. All about killing and shooting but with different toys.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

Stray — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:22:14 GMT

It’s a stupid game but in this day & age, people are nervous & the kid could have been hurt. I think the school bears some responsibility & should have counseled the kids against it. I’m sure school officials were aware of the tradition. I don’t think the boy should have spent three days in jail because felons who hurt people or steal are released & I don’t think it should go on his permanent record.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:35:09 GMT

@Lakelife62 wrote:
@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
@Lakelife62 wrote:
Kids played cops and robbers with toy guns for years.
Doesn't surprise me that teens, who have grown up learning to hide from gun massacres in the classroom, would up the ante of an old-school childhood game.
Unfortunately, this generation has grown up on video games and this 'game' is more akin to playing one of those out.
And the kids who played cowboys and indians and cops and robbers....what did they grow up on?
Same thing. All about killing and shooting but with different toys.

When kids would play cowboys and indians or cops and robbers, there were understood/perceived good guys and bad guys. These days it's just about the killing to score points.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:34:33 GMT

@Stray wrote:
It’s a stupid game but in this day & age, people are nervous & the kid could have been hurt. I think the school bears some responsibility & should have counseled the kids against it. I’m sure school officials were aware of the tradition. I don’t think the boy should have spent three days in jail because felons who hurt people or steal are released & I don’t think it should go on his permanent record.

@Stray - apparently it's been a tradition for years. It's not a school sanctioned activity, even though the board and administration know about it. It's played off school property, so how can they responsible? It's all student run.

One thing I haven't heard an explanation on is what were some students doing off campus at 1:00 PM when school was in session? The school administration could find the boy (and anyone he was playing with) truant but I'm pretty sure anything beyond that is outside their scope.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

Wsmom — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:04:48 GMT

In theory such a fun game. In reality not in this day and age. The citizen did the right thing calling it in because who's to say what that kid's intent was. Of course it was the high school game but it could have been anything else. We unfortuately see it way too often. Very sad for the kid and hopefully charges are dropped but I think that arrest will stay on his record unfortunately.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

elated — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:42:18 GMT

Just the name of the game brings fear into your mind. Whoever thought this was cool and adventurous needs some help. In this day and age, this game sounds like someone is going to die to complete it. I can't believe parents think this is a good outlet for their children. What is the next stunt, jumping off a bridge to see who can survive. Seriously, we have some troubled teens that need a better outlet for their creativity.

Re: Senior Assassin “Game”

cindyNC — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:43:26 GMT

Our Sheriff's Dept sent out a notice about it and how dangerous it could be for kids....esp if the cops were called thinking it was a real gun. They were asking parents to stop their kids from participation.

We just had a school shooter scare 2 days ago at a high school. A girl was apprended and charged. She was maybe 16 and said it was a prank because she was bored.