Police address safety concerns tied to high school 'Senior Assassin' game

KERMAN, Calif. (KFSN) -- School leaders and law enforcement nationwide are urging high school seniors to exercise caution as a popular game known as "Senior Assassin," or "Water Wars," raises safety concerns in several communities.

The game, typically played by high school seniors, involves participants working in pairs as "assassins" and "targets." Players attempt to eliminate their assigned target using water guns.

Kerman police say they are aware that students at Kerman High School are participating in the game.

"We know that our seniors are playing it at Kerman High School," said Officer Jaclynn Castro, a School Resource Officer with the Kerman Police Department.

While the activity may seem harmless, community members are worried about the potential risks. Across the country, there have been close calls involving law enforcement responding to reports of suspicious activity.

Residents in Kerman are concerned the game can quickly escalate.

"It is a concerning game with everything going on right now and the kids sometimes can take it a little bit out of context," said Kerman resident Rene Obezo, "they go a little bit to the extreme to stand out from other kids."

Concerns also center on how the items used in the game could be perceived.

"If they modified their content or anything that they're using, it could be dangerous to them or the other kids playing with them," Obezo said.

Kerman Police say they have not experienced major issues so far, receiving only one call related to the game.

"It was a misunderstanding, more so between a parent and the game. His son was actually involved in the game but it made more sense once he explained what was going on," Castro said.

Still, officers warn that water guns could be mistaken for real weapons, particularly in tense situations.

"Thankfully, most water guns are the highlighter orange, green, pink, whatever the colors may be. But just keep that in mind that not everybody is always familiar with what everything looks like," Castro said.

Officers say certain behaviors, such as students running or appearing wet, may help provide context when responding to calls.

"If we're approaching students and we see that they're wet or we see they're running around, that does give a little context that it might be part of the game," Castro said.

Police are encouraging parents to speak with their children about the risks associated with the game to help prevent misunderstandings and ensure safety.

Kerman High School addressed the game in a social media post on Facebook:

"Dear Kerman High School Families,

We want to make you aware that the "Senior Assassin" game currently being organized by students is not a school-sponsored or school-approved activity. Because of this, any concerns or issues related to the game should be directed to the Kerman Police Department.

We also want to remind students and families that all school rules and expectations remain in place during the school day. Any actions connected to this activity that violate school policy, especially during school hours or on campus, may result in serious consequences, including suspension, expulsion, or loss of participation in the graduation ceremony.

Our goal is to ensure all students stay safe and finish the year strong. We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations.

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