Police Warn Teens Over 'Assassins' Game

Fremont police are warning high school seniors to stop playing “Assassins” after reports of teens carrying realistic-looking toy guns triggered emergency calls. (ktvu.com) The game is typically played by 12th-graders, who use water guns, Nerf blasters or other imitation weapons to “eliminate” classmates in an off-campus competition. Fremont police said the activity is happening around the city and is part of a wider tradition seen across the Bay Area and the country. (kron4.com) Fremont police said on April 20 that even fake weapons can lead to high-risk patrol stops and traffic stops when officers or residents think a real gun is involved. The department said some students have used toy guns that look real enough to alarm both the public and police. (ktvu.com) Police said those calls can pull officers and 911 resources away from actual emergencies. The department also warned that suspicious activity tied to the game can lead to citations or arrests, depending on what officers find. (ktvu.com) The warning goes beyond the toy guns themselves. Fremont police said trespassing, reckless driving and carrying an item that resembles a firearm can all bring law-enforcement contact, and students cannot bring imitation weapons onto school campuses. (kron4.com) Parents could also face costs if something goes wrong. Fremont police said injuries or property damage tied to the game could create financial liability for parents. (ktvu.com) Fremont is not the only city dealing with the game this spring. Irvine police issued a similar warning in February, saying replica guns can closely resemble real firearms and may trigger an armed-police response if students run through neighborhoods, parks or parking lots with them. (ktla.com) Police in Fremont said they are coordinating with Fremont Unified School District and asking parents to talk to their children before graduation-season play turns into a criminal case or a dangerous misunderstanding. (kron4.com)