Early this morning, our officers were called to a residential neighborhood for the report of a subject hiding outside a home dressed in all-black clothing, holding a handgun. The officers were able to make contact with the subject and determined that the weapon was only a squirt gun; however, the weapon resembled a real firearm, almost exactly like the firearms our officers carry every day.
In case you were not aware, Senior Assassin, also known as "Assassins," is a game played by high school seniors where participants are assigned targets to "assassinate" using simulated weapons, such as water guns or Nerf guns. While it may seem like harmless fun, there are several dangers associated with this game:
- Misidentification: Participants may mistake innocent bystanders for their targets, leading to potentially dangerous situations. This can result in confrontations, panic, and even physical harm if someone feels threatened or responds defensively.
- Public Panic: The sight of teenagers running around with realistic-looking weapons can cause panic among members of the public. This can result in calls to law enforcement, who may respond with unnecessary force if they perceive a threat.
- Escalation of Violence: In some cases, Senior Assassin has led to incidents of vandalism, property damage, or physical altercations as participants become overly competitive or take the game too seriously.
- Legal Consequences: Engaging in Senior Assassin can potentially result in legal consequences, especially if participants trespass on private property, cause damage, or engage in behavior that is perceived as threatening.
Overall, while Senior Assassin may seem harmless fun, kids must consider the potential risks and consequences before engaging in the game. Please discuss this with your family and friends to get the word out so we do not have a tragedy.
We implore parents to tell their children to stop playing this game. Students, please stop participating—your actions could have significant, even deadly, consequences.