‘Senior Assassin’ game leads to warnings from suburban police departments

GLEN ELLYN, Ill. — Two suburban police departments have issued warnings over a game played by high school students called, “Senior Assassin.”

The Glen Ellyn Police Department, along with Glenbard West High School, shared a community alert on their Facebook page to raise awareness of the nationwide game, that typically begins in the spring time.

Arlington Heights Police Department released its community alert last week, saying they’ve already gotten a call about suspicious activity regarding someone with what looked like a gun near two elementary schools.

“The unintentional result of participants running throughout the community with a water gun, some often resembling a look-alike firearm, could have deadly consequences,” the Arlington Heights Police Department warned.

Both suburban departments are urging parents to speak with their children about the game and the potential risks involved.

For those unfamiliar, “Senior Assassin” involves a formation of teams with participants eliminating opposing players by “tagging” them with water guns. Players have been known to wear ski masks.

“You are assigned a target and you have to go get your target out with a water gun, and there’s also someone targeting you,” Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Carter Lennie explained.

“Rules” specify that the game cannot be played during school hours or on school property. Players will attempt to locate their opponents at various sites and will often hide in odd spots, chase targets through yards and appear suddenly inside a vehicle or on foot.

“It’s weird because it just started yesterday, but I already feel like I’m in the deep end,” Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Desmond Murphy said. “I’m putting myself at risk being outside.”

With over 350 participants, “Senior Assassin” is the talk of Oak Park and River Forest High School, while the game’s dangers are on the minds of police officers across the Chicago suburbs.

In some instances, participants have utilized realistic looking water guns — which police warn could have deadly consequences.

Last April, police in Gurnee issued a community alert after a concealed-carry holder mistook a group of high school students playing the game, while wearing ski masks and holding water guns, as a threat.

Police are asking students to “consider the perception of an uninformed resident who sees a person rapidly displaying a replica firearm in a populated common area.”

Students are urged to be “mindful of their actions.”

For Lennie and Murphy, however, winning the game comes with a prize for charity. They said there’s a $5 buy-in for everyone participating and 40% of the payout goes to the nonprofit of the winner’s choosing.