Main Line Police Warn Of Teens With Fake Guns Playing 'Assassins'

EASTTOWN, PA -- The Easttown Police Department is warning the public to be aware of a new teenage game sweeping across the area in which participants carry fake guns, which are often perceived as real.

Police responded to a report on February 24 of a high school student standing behind an apartment building with a gun.

When the boy was interviewed, he told police that he was just playing the game "assassins" with his friends, and that the gun wasn't real.

The object of the game is to locate a target and shoot them with a water pistol, cap gun, or similar type gun. Once you “eliminate” that target, you get the name of someone else to "assassinate."

The student who was questioned indicated that it was a popular game being played by a lot of students, police said.

Rules and descriptions on how to play the game are available on several social media sites.

Easttown police stressed that parents and students should be aware that while this is a game to the participants, others in the community may not be aware.

"Participating in such a game in public, with objects that look like weapons, can have serious consequences to all those involved," police said. "We ask that you please speak to your children and adolescents about the potential dangers of this activity."