Talk To Your Kids About 'Senior Assassin' Prank, Glen Rock Police Plead

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Watch for assassins with fake guns, say the Glen Rock Police.

Teenagers around the country have engaged in the "assassination game" for years — a challenge in which they try to fire a water gun, paint gun, or sock at their assigned target, until one player is left.

But police said in a message this week that an increase in pranks with real-looking waterguns can cause a problem. And they said that a "senior assassin" prank has ramped up on social media.

"While this challenge may seem harmless at the surface, it has resulted in numerous dangerous situations for schools, the public, and law enforcement responding to these incidents," said Chief Dean Ackerman.

He showed two images of water guns, one of which looks like a real weapon.

"This water gun is clearly designed to resemble a real firearm," he said. "Imitation firearm water guns cause serious public alarm which may result in a police response where the situation can become dangerous. In a split second, no member of the public nor law enforcement personnel can distinguish that this is a toy."

He added, "In addition, with the increase of concealed carry weapons permits being issued statewide, many private citizens are now carrying firearms legally and may perceive that they are in danger. We urge parents to speak to their children about this to avoid an injury or tragedy from occurring. This prank could have deadly consequences."

Devastating Consequences

Last spring, police in some areas warned parents about a social media challenge in which people were shooting soft water gel pellets at people and cars from "Orbeez" guns.

"Devices like these, albeit a toy, can cause serious harm to individuals as well as to property," wrote West Hartford, Conn. schools in a letter, according to West Hartfort Patch. "Pointing a toy gun can have dire consequences."

A similar warning was issued in San Carlos, California last winter.

In July of 2022, a corrections officer in New York City fatally shot an 18-year-old who was holding an Orbeez gun, according to multiple media accounts.

In February of this year, a toy gun was confiscated at a school in Ridgewood. READ MORE: Toy Gun Confiscated At Ridgewood School