High schooler faces terrorism charge after playing ‘Senior Assassination’ game in hospital

WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC4) — An 18-year-old high school student was arrested Wednesday on a felony threat of terrorism charge after he allegedly ran into a hospital carrying a Nerf gun as part of a “Senior Assassination” game.

On April 30, two young males allegedly entered Jordan Valley Hospital with what appeared to be a gun and “asked if it was a hospital,” according to court documents. Witnesses said they then took off running.

Police responded to the hospital and surrounded the building as detectives and security guards weighed whether they should lockdown the building.

“Several hospital visitors approached the officers, asking if it was safe to enter the hospital, as they were frightened,” an officer said in their report.

Police found the suspect with the perceived weapon. He told them that “he was playing a game called ‘Senior Assassination’ with a Nerf gun. He said he was chasing his friend, which led them to the hospital.

The high schooler is facing a threat of terrorism charge, a third-degree felony, as officers claim this “interrupted the occupation of the Jordan Valley Hospital” and scared members of the public.

“The suspect action caused a West Jordan PD to deal with emergencies to take action due to the actor’s conduct posing a serious and substantial risk to the general public,” documents read.

ABC4 did not include the suspect’s name as he is reportedly in high school.

The arrest comes one year after police urged parents to talk with their children about the game due to a rise in 911 calls.

The game is known as “Senior Assassin,” and it’s played across the country with the rules varying by school. Kaysville police said high school seniors in their area sign up and pay a fee to play and are randomly assigned another player to target. The players then attempt to “assassinate” the target, often through tagging them with water. The last player standing wins.

Last year, Kaysville Police warned students of the potential consequences of trespassing on property with what appears to be a gun. They said community members may not realize they are playing a game.

“We have to treat every call with a serious and professional matter and urge those who play this game to remember many do not know what they’re doing,” Kaysville police said.