Building Locked Down In Guilford, GPD Warns Of 'Senior Assassin Game'

GUILFORD, CT — A medical building on Boston Post Road in Guilford went into lockdown mode on Tuesday after police received a call about a man who was running around with a gun, but police say the incident was part of the "senior assassin game," a popular elimination-style game among graduating seniors that involves "shooting" each other with water guns.

Police are now warning residents about the game as graduation rapidly approaches.

The person seen at the medical building was holding a Glock replica squirt gun, according to police, and the manner in which it was held appeared to be real to the complainants.

Guilford Deputy Police Chief Martina Jakober told Patch the incident took place a little after 10 a.m., and it raised extra alarm bells as rules stipulate the game needs to be played outside of school hours and not on school grounds or private property without permission.

Players must also have an obvious water gun that is brightly colored so it can't be confused with a real firearm.

"The gun in surveillance images also appeared to be realistic. Per the building protocol, they placed the building in lockdown until it was safe. People in the building were fearing for the worst and calling family, telling them they were in a lockdown and saying their goodbyes if the gunman entered the building," police said in a Facebook post. "Family members began showing up in the area worried about their loved ones. As you can imagine, the police response was significant and the area was saturated with officers, clearing buildings and ensuring the 'suspect' was identified and captured."

No one was injured, police said, but they noted faculty and staff at the building "experienced a level of trauma and were legitimately concerned for their safety."

With the game in full swing in Guilford, police said they communicated with the school resource officer who was able to identify the person seen on surveillance footage and handle the complaint "and ultimately put the complainant’s mind at ease," police said.

"It is imperative that parents and guardians speak with their seniors about the potential outcomes of their actions when playing this game. Students should also be mindful that they could face arrest if the level of their actions rises to a crime," police added.

Similar to dodgeball, when a participant is sprayed with a water gun, they're eliminated from the game.

Police noted that most senior classes that play the game use the Splashin' App to register and follow the game.

Players pay an entry fee, and GPS locations of all players are shared through SnapChat, and Instagram is used to post videos of players being sprayed with water guns, police said.

Each week, police said, there are specific target teams and a "purge" day. At the end of the game, the winning team collects a pot of money.

"While this seems like a fun and harmless game, we want to make people aware of the issues that could arise from deviating from the rules and not playing with due regard for public safety," police said, noting they do not condone the game, nor does the town of Guilford.

Police thanked community members who called 911 and took steps to lock down the building.

"It is always a good day when everyone goes home safe," police said.