Police Warn Teens Over 'Assassins' Game

Fremont police told high school seniors to stop playing “Assassins” after reports of teens carrying realistic-looking toy guns triggered dangerous police responses. (ktvu.com) The Fremont Police Department said the game involves 12th-grade students targeting other students with water guns, Nerf guns, or similar toys, usually off campus around the city. Police said some of those toys look real enough to bystanders and officers to prompt 911 calls. (kron4.com) In its warning, the department said the game can lead to “high-risk patrol and traffic stops” and can pull officers away from actual emergencies. Police also said suspicious behavior tied to the game could bring contact, citations, or arrests. (ktvu.com) “Senior Assassin” is a long-running end-of-year game at many U.S. high schools, with seniors trying to eliminate assigned classmates in an informal tournament using toy blasters. Police departments in California, Indiana, and other states have issued similar warnings this spring as the game spread on social media. (usatoday.com) In Irvine, police warned in February that the same game could be mistaken for a real threat because some gel blasters and water guns resemble handguns. San Diego police issued a similar warning later that month. (ktla.com) (fox5sandiego.com) Fremont officers said parents could also face financial liability if the game leads to injuries or property damage. The department urged families to supervise teens and stop the game before a fake weapon is treated like a real one. (kron4.com) The warning landed in late April, when Bay Area seniors are weeks from graduation and these games typically peak. Fremont police said they were working with Fremont Unified School District as the district tried to discourage students from taking part. (hoodline.com) The department’s message was simple: a water-gun game that looks harmless to players can look like an armed encounter to everyone else on the street. (ktvu.com)