Charges Possible In Merrimack, NH High School 'Assassins' Game

MERRIMACK, NH (CBS) - A high school rite of passage may have gone too far in Merrimack, New Hampshire. One or more students could face misdemeanor charges linked to the "Senior Assassins" game.

The game is an annual tradition for seniors. Students pay to participate. Then they are given names of students they need to target with a water gun.

"It's getting intense already and we've only been playing for a couple days," said senior Nikolas Sunstrom.

Students stalk each other, ready to pounce with their water guns at each other's homes, cars and social events.

Wednesday, students went to a home on Franconia Street to target a senior. He backed out of his driveway and into a car that was blocking his exit, possibly on purpose.

"The student that was trying to leave his driveway was the target of the assassin of the squirt gun," says Lt. Dean Killkelly of the Merrimack Police Department. Police are investigating whether charges might 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 other cases, they sneak into houses and cars.

Students say it's all in good fun and they look forward to the game, 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," said Junior Lacey Letour.

It's a tradition that's not changing anytime soon, says a recent graduate who played the "Senior Assassins" last year. "The game does get really crazy, because it's seniors and you wait all high school to play it," says Connor Havron.

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