'Senior Assassin' Water Gun Game Could Trigger Disorderly Conduct: Arlington Heights PD

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — With the return of the "Senior Assassin" game to town, Arlington Heights police are warning local teens to be safe, while also not condoning or supporting the objectives of the game.

The game is part of an annual spring tradition played by high school students across the country. In the game, participants try to avoid elimination while squirting other players with a water gun, with the goal of being the last person left.

According to the police department, game rules specify that the activity cannot take place during school hours or on school property. Players try to find opponents at homes, local parks and other gathering spaces in the community. Police said students often hide in unusual places, chase targets through yards and appear suddenly in a vehicle or on foot.

AHPD said the concept of the game itself is not against the law or a local ordinance. Still, the department asked players to act safely, use common sense and understand how their actions may be perceived by other people in the community.

"The unintentional result of participants running throughout the community with a water gun, some often resembling a look-alike firearm, could have deadly consequences," the police department said in a social media post Friday.

The department also pointed to Illinois’ increasing number of concealed carry license holders, describing that as an ability to carry a concealed firearm in public for self-defense.

Parents are encouraged to speak with their children about safety concerns tied to openly carrying a squirt gun that resembles a look-alike firearm and going onto private property without permission. AHPD is asking families to think about how an uninformed resident might react after seeing someone quickly display a replica firearm in a busy public area.

"That action could be viewed as 'Alarming and Disturbing,' which are elements of a criminal offense and/or local ordinance violation – Disorderly Conduct," the police department said.

While Arlington Heights police understand there is excitement and anticipation as the school year comes to a close, students should be mindful of their actions.

Any unusual activity should be reported immediately by calling 9-1-1. The notice serves as a reminder that while the game itself is not banned, behavior connected to it can still raise safety concerns for residents across Arlington Heights.