Beware Of Teens Playing 'Assassination Game,' Livingston Police Say

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Teens in Livingston are playing a game in which they shoot each other with "high powered water guns," and the police are making residents aware.

The students are playing the "Assassination Game," in which they are assigned another student to find and shoot. The game was immortalized in the early 1980s in the films "TAG: The Assassination Game," and "Gotcha."

But those were more innocent days — before school shootings.

Police noted on Saturday, "Good morning residents. We have been made aware that the high school seniors are playing their annual assassin game again and it started yesterday. We post this to make residents aware that you may see kids ducking and hiding carrying high powered water guns around town and in your neighborhoods.

"To the students, we ask you to use common sense when playing. Our officers have been on high alert for car thieves every night. Please do not dress in all dark clothing and hide around houses or cars. Also please drive safely. We want you to have fun, but safe fun!"

Resident seemed to think positively of the game, with some saying they wanted to play.

"When I taught at LHS my students would be all excited to plan and participate," wrote a woman on social media.

"This would be a great community event especially in the summer," said one resident.

Another person asked who the students were trying to shoot with water.

"Only other senior students who are involved in the game," explained a commenter.

"So awesome," someone noted. "Can we start an adult (or immature 50+ year old) version of this?"

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