Police alert young people and parents to the consequences of a viral game

WINNEBAGO, Ill. (WIFR) – A popular tradition among high school students across the country is turning into a potentially dangerous game.

“Senior Assassin” is a game in which students use water or squirt guns to try to hit their target and take them out of the game. It may seem harmless, but according to police departments across the country, some students take their “strategy” a little too far, using paintballs, airsoft guns and masks to ambush their target.

“The activity is meant to be a really fun tradition,” says Jeffrey Spelman, Winnebago High School’s school resource officer.

Spelman informed his police superiors that there were “high-violence murders” occurring in their community.

“I encourage parents and students to talk about potential risks and consequences, including unintentional violations,” Spelman says.

Spelman says it's disturbing that a once entertaining game has taken a dangerous turn with potentially serious consequences.

“In today’s environment, these activities can pose risks that simply cannot be ignored,” he says.

Last spring, police in Gurnee and Arlington Heights witnessed the game playing out in their communities. The kids took it to extremes.

“There are reports of kids just using a water gun but putting paint in it so that when they hit someone with a water gun it looks like blood,” said Jeff White, police chief of the Winnebago Police Department. “There are cases of kids going into stores and restaurants wearing masks.”

White says Winnebago has had no problems with the game, but he warns students that if they go anywhere wearing masks or carrying real-looking weapons, they could be arrested and expelled from school.

“I want people to have fun, I want kids to have fun. They're experiencing the peak of their lives, they're about to graduate from high school, it's just not conducive to that in the public eye,” White explains.

White says a better alternative to “eliminate” opponents is to use stickers, rent a paintball facility or play at a park supervised by adults. Parents are urged to talk to their children about the dangers of the game and monitor their behavior.

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