School Locked Down Due To Senior Assassin Game: Police

Dundee Highlands Elementary School in West Dundee was briefly placed on lockdown this week after concerned parents called police following an exchange between two high school students during after-school pickup that was later determined to be related to the “senior assassin” game.

Multiple officers responded to the area near Dundee Highlands Elementary School after receiving reports of a person dressed in all black who reportedly approached a vehicle in the school’s pickup line at about 2:30 p.m., according to police.

Out of an abundance of caution, and following established safety protocols, the school was placed in a brief lockdown while officers investigated the situation. Police later determined there was no threat to students, staff, or the public at any time, and the lockdown was quickly lifted.

Investigators said the incident was connected to a “senior assassins” style game involving students, a popular end-of-year prank in which participants attempt to “eliminate” assigned targets using water guns or similar non-lethal guns.

Authorities said the weapon involved was a realistic-looking water gun designed to resemble an M4 semi-automatic rifle, which contributed to the emergency response after witnesses reported seeing what appeared to be an armed individual near the school, according to the news release.

Police confirmed that an 18-year-old student — a Jacobs High School student — was charged with disorderly conduct in connection with the incident.

The West Dundee Police Department emphasized that while the incident was resolved safely, reports involving possible weapons near schools are treated seriously and trigger immediate precautionary responses.