Local Police Warn Parents About The “Senior Assassin” Game

When I was in high school, especially when we got into the last month or so of classes before summer vacation, the biggest concerns the school and local law enforcement had were something called "senior skip days."

Super-Soakers and Nerf guns hadn't been invented yet, and many of us couldn't spell assassin if our lives depended on it, so nobody at that time had to issue a statement spelling out how our new game could end up getting us killed.

Times change, and once again this year, schools and police have been warning would-be participants in "Senior Assassin" and/or "Paranoia" that these end-of-the-school-year games could end tragically.

These End-Of-The-School-Year Games Have Gained A Lot Of Traction And Attention Over The Last 10 Years

The Beloit, Wisconsin Police Department is once again sounding the alarm about the growing popularity of the “Senior Assassin” game, a social media-driven end-of-year tradition that, while intended as harmless fun, is increasingly raising serious safety concerns.

Over the last decade, this end-of-school-year game has grown in popularity, and it’s also grown more dangerous. What typically begins as a lighthearted competition among high school seniors involves students being assigned “targets” and attempting to eliminate them by sneaking up and spraying them with a squirt gun.

Players often compete over several days or weeks until only one remains, sometimes even tracking progress through apps or social media posts.

One Problem Is That The Game Is Frequently Being Brought To Public Spaces

Law enforcement agencies in Beloit and across the region have emphasized the game is no longer confined to backyards and schoolyards. Participants frequently take it into public spaces (neighborhoods, parking lots, parks, and even near businesses) where confusion can quickly escalate.

Police warn that individuals unfamiliar with the game may mistake the activity for a real threat, especially when students are wearing masks or moving around at odd hours. A major concern is the use of squirt guns or toy weapons that resemble real firearms.

Officers note that even a water gun seen from a distance can trigger panic, 911 calls, and rapid police responses. In some cases, similar incidents across the country have led to dangerous misunderstandings between teens, residents, and law enforcement.

It's Not Just Happening In Beloit

Communities in Northern Illinois have issued similar warnings in recent years, including suburban departments near Chicago that report increased emergency calls tied to the game.

These agencies consistently urge parents to talk with their teens about boundaries, especially avoiding private property, public intimidation, and anything that could be mistaken for a weapon.

Police aren’t necessarily trying to end the tradition, but they are making it clear that what feels like a game to students can look like something very different to everyone else watching.

Here's a great breakdown of Senior Assassin: