Posted on

Mahwah Police Warn Parents About Water Gun “Assassin” Game After Multiple 911 Call

attachment kid shoots water gun 1693163189

Mahwah Police Issue Warning After Water Gun “Assassin” Game Sparks 911 Calls

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Mahwah NJ, Mahwah Police responded to multiple reports of juveniles with guns last week — but what initially sounded like a dangerous situation turned out to be a controversial high school tradition involving water guns.

2991ecce b2be 4c85 bba6 faa11cfc76e2 large16x9 343215460 578474781018091 640555564156699913 n 1216784575

According to authorities, the calls were linked to students playing the popular — and increasingly criticized — senior year game called “Assassin.” In this game, participants attempt to “eliminate” assigned targets by spraying them with water, often using realistic-looking toy guns.

“A current trend is for high school students to play the ‘Assassin’ game, with the purpose to spray a classmate with a water gun,” Mahwah police said in a public message. “If your children are taking part in this game, please make sure they are making smart decisions and being careful with how they take part in the game and what water ‘guns’ they use.”

Parents and Police Urged to Promote Caution and Common Sense

Mahwah officers urged parents of high schoolers to have important conversations about safety and common sense, especially when games like “Assassin” could be misinterpreted by bystanders — potentially triggering dangerous misunderstandings.

The “Assassin Game” — also known as TAG (The Assassination Game) or “Killer” — has been played by high school seniors for decades. However, in today’s climate of heightened school security concerns, the game has drawn serious criticism from law enforcement, school officials, and parents.

 National Incidents Raise Alarms Over Assassin Game

While the game is meant to be light-hearted, recent news stories highlight the serious risks:

  • Texas: A high school student is on life support after falling off a moving Jeep while playing the game, according to CBS News.

  • Florida: Police mistakenly shot a teen participating in the game, believing them to be a home intruder.

  • Utah: A teen ran through a hospital with a Nerf gun as part of the game and was arrested, facing terrorism-related charges, ABC News reported.

These incidents have reignited debates on whether such games should be allowed at all, especially as school safety remains a national concern.

The Game’s Origins and Changing Perceptions

The “Assassin” game gained popularity in the early 1980s, with players originally using socks, paintball guns, or even squirt bottles to “tag” their targets on school campuses. Its rise in pop culture was fueled by movies like Gotcha and TAG: The Assassination Game.

But in a post-Columbine and post-Sandy Hook era, the optics of students running around with gun-shaped objects — even water guns — has become far more sensitive and controversial.

Stay Safe and Smart During Senior Traditions

Police in Mahwah are not banning the game, but are asking families to talk to their children about using clearly distinguishable water toys and avoiding risky or alarming behaviors in public spaces.

“We want students to enjoy their senior traditions, but they need to do so responsibly,” police emphasized.

Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: Onlyonesmallvoice@gmail.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *