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In an unusual incident in Portage, Indiana, local police were prompted to respond to what initially appeared to be a serious situation but quickly turned out to be a misunderstanding involving a toy. The Portage Police Department released images of a toy water gun discovered in the possession of a student engaged in the widely played “senior assassins” game.
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The confusion unfolded on a Friday when multiple emergency calls were placed, reporting an individual with a weapon in the Planet Fitness parking lot at 6221 US Highway 6. With schools in session, the authorities took the calls seriously, rushing to what they believed could be a potential threat.
Though aware of the game, officers had to proceed with caution, prioritizing the safety of the community. A police spokesperson commented on the incident, emphasizing the unnecessary risks posed to both officers and the public due to the emergency response. Additionally, the situation inadvertently delayed the police response to three other service calls concurrently happening across the city.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered 18-year-old Adrian Williams inside a vehicle with the toy gun resting in the passenger area. The incident serves as a reminder of the fine line between playful activities and their unintended consequences, especially in public spaces where misunderstandings can escalate quickly.
Officers arrived and found Adrian Williams, 18, inside a car with the toy gun in the passenger compartment.
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Police said that as he was being detained, he told police he was playing the game.
Williams was charged with felony intimidation.
“We understand that this game has been played by high school seniors in our area for a few years and this appears to have become a tradition,” police said. “Unfortunately, we have previously had to respond to reports of reckless driving, road rage, and carjacking.”
Police urge teenagers to use brightly colored water guns and to not engage in reckless and dangerous behaviors.
“It is ultimately the duty of the young adults who engage in this game to conduct themselves in a safe, lawful manner that does not cause fear and panic within our community,” the spokesperson said.
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