Area high school seniors are stalking each other with water guns, alarming unknowing residents.
An eye-raising game that seems to be sweeping the country has shown up in Delaware.
New Castley Couny Police warned Friday afternoon that the “senior assassination game,” which involved high school seniors tracking each other down and shooting each other with water guns, caused a disturbance Thursday in the Deerborne Woods Community.
Officers were dispatched about 2:32 p.m. after calls that someone was running through the community with a silver and black handgun. Officers responded located the individual and realized the weapon was a gun.
News reports from around the country say the same thing is happening elsewhere.
The students use water guns, Nerf guns or other harmless items to strike, usually after school hours.
“While this may seem harmless fun, it can lead to serious consequences. ” New Castle police warned in a press release.
The game can cause a lot of disruption in a community, it said.
“Participants may become preoccupied with the game, causing them to become distracted while driving or engaging in other important activities,” the press release said.
The game also can alarm people who don’t know what’s going on.
“The activities of the game could be misconceived by a witness as actual violence or a real firearm,” the release said. “There have been reports where participants dress in dark clothing with masks while using water guns resembling real firearms.
Potential dangers include the students themelves taking things too far, causing serious injuries or even having legal consequences.
The release urged parents, teachers and community members to speak with their children and students about the potential dangers of this game.
“If students continue to participate, please exercise common sense,” the release said. “Avoid trespassing on private property, don’t operate a vehicle during and please refrain from using realistic-looking guns.”
