Ontario Provincial Police are urging students to think twice before taking part in the popular “Senior Assassin” game after a recent incident in Oxford County raised public safety concerns.
Officers responded to a report of a suspicious person in Ingersoll on April 24, only to discover the situation involved a student using a water gun as part of the game.
Senior Assassin is a student-organized activity often played by graduating high school students, where participants are assigned targets and attempt to “eliminate” them using water guns or similar items.
The game is typically coordinated through social media, sometimes involving teams, entry fees and prize pools, and may include rules like designated “safe zones” or immunity items.
Despite its reputation as a lighthearted tradition, police say the use of realistic-looking replica firearms can lead to dangerous misunderstandings.
In some cases, bystanders or witnesses may believe a real weapon is involved, prompting emergency calls and potentially leading to a significant police response.
Officers also note that the game’s stealthy nature—often involving ambush tactics, disguises or chasing targets in public—can create additional risks, including alarming the public or contributing to unsafe behaviour.
Police are encouraging students to find safer, more visible ways to celebrate their final year, emphasizing that what may seem like harmless fun can quickly escalate into a serious situation.
