High school "assassins" water-gun game could bring charges
MERRIMACK, N.H. - A high school rite of passage in Merrimack, New Hampshire may have gone too far and now some students could face misdemeanor charges linked to the "Senior Assassins" game, reports CBS Boston.
The game, which is an annual tradition for seniors, involves students who pay to participate and then are given names of schoolmates they need to target with a water gun.
"It's getting intense already and we've only been playing for a couple days," senior Nikolas Sunstrom told the station.
The students reportedly stalk each other, ready to pounce with their water guns at each other's homes, cars and social events.
On Wednesday, students went to a home to target a senior. He backed out of his driveway and into a car that was blocking his exit, possibly on purpose, according to the station.
"The student that was trying to leave his driveway was the target of the assassin of the squirt gun," Lt. Dean Killkelly of the Merrimack Police Department, told the station. Police are now investigating whether charges will be filed.
Killkelly says no one was hurt, but the crash is an example of how the "assassins" game can veer into dangerous territory. "Our concern is that it's escalating to the point where someone might get hurt. Property is getting damaged," he said.
Last year, police fielded complaints about students hopping fences and trespassing to gain access to others playing the game. In some cases, they sneaked into houses and cars.
Students say it's all in good fun and they look forward to the game every year, but even they can understand the concerns.
"I could see that happening because kids are walking around with water guns and some people may think it's not a water gun," junior Lacey Letour told the station.
It"s a tradition that's not changing anytime soon, says a recent graduate who played the "Senior Assassins" game last year. "The game does get really crazy, because it's seniors and you wait all high school to play it," says Connor Havron.