'Senior Assassin' Game Not Condoned, Supported: Arlington Heights PD

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Police are making residents aware that a sometimes controversial annual springtime tradition for students, especially seniors, is returning. The online, live-action game, which involves water guns, is called "Senior Assassin." Arlington Heights police are encouraging parents to talk to their children about safety concerns linked to openly carrying a squirt gun that resembles a look-alike firearm and being on private property without permission.

"We ask everyone to play safely, use common sense and recognize how players' actions may be perceived by members of the community," AHPD said in a social media post Friday. "The unintentional result of participants running throughout the community with a water gun, some often resembling a look-alike firearm, could have deadly consequences."

AHPD said it doesn't condone or support cited objectives in the game, as the concept of "Senior Assassin" is not against any laws or local ordinances.

The objective of the game, which police say is played here in Arlington Heights and across the country, is to forego match elimination by squirting other players using a water gun with a goal of being the last person remaining in the game.

The game rules specify the activity cannot take place during school hours or on school property. Players attempt to locate their opponents at various sites including home, local parks, and other gathering spaces within the community, according to police. Students hide in odd spots, chase targets through yards, and appear suddenly in a vehicle or on foot.

Police said with an increasing number of people possessing concealed carry licenses in Illinois, more residents in the state have an ability to carry a concealed firearm in public for self-defense.

"The police department has received calls regarding associated activity," AHPD said in the post. "One such call resulted in a significant police response based on a homeowner reporting a 'man with a gun' running through their residential yard. Please do not assume any similar suspicious activity observed is related to this game. Any unusual activity should be reported immediately by calling 911."