NAPA VALLEY, CA — Calistoga police are sounding the alarm on a senior tradition that’s starting to look, from a distance, like something far more dangerous.
The Calistoga Police Department issued a public safety advisory warning that the so-called “Senior Assassins” game—played by high school seniors using water guns and Nerf-style blasters to “eliminate” classmates—has begun to spark real-world consequences. Officers say the problem isn’t the game itself, but how it appears to everyone else.
Participants often carry imitation guns that closely resemble real firearms, prompting bystanders to call 911 and report armed individuals. Police say those calls force officers to respond as if the threat is real, leading to high-risk stops and diverting resources from actual emergencies.
The activity, while usually organized off campus, has spread across Calistoga neighborhoods and mirrors similar incidents reported nationwide. Police emphasized that officers have no way to immediately distinguish between a toy and a real weapon during a live call.
Authorities warn that students who trespass, drive recklessly, or display objects that appear to be firearms could face citations or arrest. Officials also reiterated that toy or imitation weapons remain banned on school campuses, regardless of intent.
Beyond legal risks, police say injuries or property damage tied to the game could leave families financially responsible.
The department is now coordinating with the Calistoga Joint Unified School District to address the issue and is urging parents to step in. Officers want families to understand how quickly a game can escalate once it intersects with public perception and emergency response.
Police are asking students to think twice—and parents to start the conversation before someone mistakes a game for a threat.
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Napa Valley, CA Patch
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