“Senior assassin” trend drawing police attention

The Thunder Bay Police Service is urging students and families to avoid using imitation firearms in public after receiving a high-risk weapons call on Saturday for what later turned out to be a toy gun.

“Senior Assassin” is a game played by high school students that is growing in popularity. The goal of the game is to “eliminate” other students by spraying them with a water gun.

Holding water guns in public and chasing others with them can obviously resemble real criminal activity. Since this game is typically played in public spaces like parks and parking lots, the police are reminding students it can cause real fear and distress.

“When these items are displayed in public, officers must respond as though the threat is genuine until proven otherwise,” the police wrote in a press release. “Using imitation firearms in public spaces can result in unintended consequences, including criminal investigations, school-related sanctions, or injury.

Police are encouraging parents and guardians to speak with youth about making safe decisions and understanding how quickly these situations can escalate.