Police Warn Teens Over 'Assassins' Game

Fremont police are telling high school seniors to stop playing “Assassins” after fake guns used in the game triggered high-risk police responses. (kron4.com) The warning was published April 20 by the Fremont Police Department and reported this week by Bay Area outlets. Police said the game is typically played off campus by 12th graders using water guns, Nerf guns, or other toy guns to “target” classmates around the city. (kron4.com, ktvu.com) Police said some of the toy guns look real enough to residents and officers to prompt 911 calls, patrol responses, and felony-style traffic stops. Fremont officers said they treat every report of gun violence or suspicious firearm use as real until they can verify otherwise. (kron4.com, hoodline.com) The department’s warning went beyond the game itself. Police said trespassing, carrying an item that resembles a firearm, and reckless driving tied to the activity can lead to contact with officers, citations, or arrest. (kron4.com) Fremont police also said students cannot bring imitation or toy weapons onto school campuses. The department said parents could face financial liability if the game leads to injuries or property damage. (kron4.com, yahoo.com) The concern is not limited to Fremont. Police departments in Irvine, San Mateo County, and other communities have issued similar warnings in 2026 as “Senior Assassin” games spread through graduating classes and social media. (ktla.com, rwcpulse.com, usatoday.com) California law adds another layer of risk when a toy gun looks like a real one. Penal Code Section 20170 says a person may not openly display an imitation firearm in a public place, including streets, sidewalks, parks, parking lots, and cars. (law.justia.com) Fremont police said they are coordinating with Fremont Unified School District and asking parents to talk with students before graduation-season games escalate. The department’s message was blunt: stop playing before a prank is mistaken for an armed threat. (kron4.com)