Senior Assassin: What to know about the graduation game popping up in the Maritimes

Police are telling students who play the “senior assassin” game with water guns to exercise caution.

As the school year comes to an end, Dawn Cookson is getting ready to celebrate her son Owen’s graduation.

In the final weeks of senior year, students at Millwood High School in Middle Sackville, N.S., have been making the most of their time with a game.

“They’re all into it. It’s kind of nice to see them off their computers and off the video games and stuff. It’s a lot of fun,” said Cookson.

The game is called ‘Senior Assassin,’ and it’s popping up at schools across the country. It’s played by graduating students who use water guns to eliminate “assigned targets” – also known as their fellow classmates.

“There’s a lot of rules around it. They can’t do it during school hours, can’t walk into somebody’s house, so you’re not invading privacy or anything like that or boundaries, not at a workplace,” said Cookson. “I find a lot of the kids are just going out, going for walks more.”

Part of the game includes wearing swimming goggles or water wings, which means the student is safe from being taken out of the game.

Game safety

The game has now come with a warning from some police forces across the country, including here in the Maritimes.

“Let’s make sure we know that it’s a water gun, so let’s make sure it’s nice and bright and colourful, and it’s very clear on what that is,” said Nova Scotia RCMP Sgt. Serge Landry.

“We need to know that it is that because if we get a call for service and there’s a weapons complaint, we are going to respond accordingly.”

Landry said the biggest takeaway for students is about safety.

“Think before you start dodging through traffic. If you’re jumping in a car, be cautious, be careful of where you’re driving, where you’re going,” he said.

Landry also noted students should not be trespassing or running into businesses and causing a disturbance in order to get away from fellow players.

Halifax Regional Police (HRP) said it’s also aware of the game and shares the same concerns of other law enforcement agencies.

“While youth playing the game may think of it as innocent, we want them to understand that water guns and BB guns can closely resemble real firearms,” said HRP in an email to CTV News.

“Students deserve to have fun and celebrate the end of the school year, but we encourage them to find safer ways to do so.”

‘Not all fun and games’

The Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) said it has not received any complaints or reports of issues related to the “Senior Assassin” game within its high schools.

“As with any activity involving students in the community, we encourage young people to make safe and responsible decisions and to be mindful of how their actions may impact others,” said Lindsey Bunin, HRCE communications officer, in an email to CTV News.

“We would also strongly discourage the use of any items that could be mistaken for real weapons, as well as behaviour that could create safety concerns, disrupt public spaces, or place students at risk.”

Bunin also noted that anyone who threatens the safety of HRCE’s students, staff, or schools, or is in possession of any item that may resemble a weapon, could face police charges and other consequences.

“Our focus is always on supporting student well-being and maintaining safe, welcoming school environments. If concerns were to arise related to student safety or school operations, they would be addressed directly with students and families as appropriate,” said Bunin.

Cookson said at the end of the day, it’s great to see kids being kids again.

“It’s nice to see the seniors doing that because, really, they’re heading into university and they’re going to get a big experience of what life is like and it’s not all fun and games,” she said.

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