Redding Police Issue Advisory on High School Water Gun ‘Assassin’ Game

As graduation season draws near, a beloved high school tradition is once again capturing the attention of California law enforcement. This time, authorities are issuing stern warnings about the potential dangers of the game known as “Senior Assassin.”

The Redding Police Department is sounding the alarm to caution high school seniors against participating in this live-action game. The game involves students tracking and “eliminating” one another using water guns as their weapon of choice.

In recent years, an app-driven version of “Senior Assassin” has emerged, adding a digital twist. The app, created by a company named Splashin, assigns each player a target and uses phone location services to guide participants in their pursuit. Despite the engaging nature of the game, Splashin has emphasized the importance of safety while using their app.

The objective for players is straightforward: soak their assigned target while evading elimination themselves. However, while the game may seem harmless, law enforcement warns that its execution can cause public alarm and potentially lead to dangerous situations.

Authorities are particularly concerned about the potential for misunderstandings. “Do not trespass, do not run into traffic, and do not approach people in a way that could be mistaken for a real threat,” the Redding Police Department advised in a recent Facebook post.

“Do not trespass, do not run into traffic and do not approach people in a way that could be mistaken for a real threat,” the department said in a Facebook post.

Officers also warned players to steer clear of schools, businesses and any area where their actions could cause fear or trigger a police response.

The advisory added: “No realistic-looking weapons in public. If someone tells you to leave, leave. If something feels off, walk away” and “use common sense and keep it safe.”

Sgt. Brian Berg noted that local students have played the game for years, describing it as a “fun tradition” tied to graduation, according to the Redding Record Searchlight. 

However, he acknowledged that many in the community may not recognize it, increasing the risk of misunderstandings.

While Redding police say they haven’t received complaints that are “overly concerning,” incidents elsewhere have escalated.

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Last year a student in Texas died of injuries after he fell off the back of a moving vehicle while playing the game and in 2024 two students had a real gun pulled on them in a Chicago suburb when a man with a concealed firearm confused the situation with a robbery.

School officials in the region are keeping their distance.

West Valley High School Principal Justin Byxbe confirmed the game is not permitted on campus during school hours and said there have been no water gun-related issues at the California school, according to the Redding Record Searchlight.

The modern version of “Senior Assassin,” a tradition dating back to the 1980s, includes rules aimed at reducing risk.

Players are instructed to use brightly colored water guns, avoid disguises and stay out of restricted areas like private property.

Still, authorities stress that even with safeguards, the sight of teens stalking each other in public, especially with anything resembling a weapon, can quickly turn a game into a public safety scare.