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A Massachusetts high school game took a perilous turn when teens participating in the viral “Senior Assassin” challenge allegedly fired gel projectiles at unsuspecting students. This incident left two minors injured and led to charges against a suspect, according to police reports.
The Lawrence Police Department stated that three teens from a local high school were running together on Thursday afternoon when they were suddenly targeted and shot at using what seemed to be BB-style or gel projectiles.
While two of the students were hit, the third managed to avoid being struck. Fortunately, none of the victims sustained serious injuries.
Authorities swiftly identified a high school student as the suspect. They also recovered a gel projectile gun, resembling an Orbeez gun, believed to have been used during the attack.
The suspect, now in police custody, is facing two charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. The suspect’s name has not been disclosed at this time.
Police arrested a high school student and recovered an Orbeez-style gel projectile gun. (Lawrence Police Department)
Authorities linked the incident to “Senior Assassin,” a student-run game popular among graduating seniors that involves targeting other participants, often using toy or non-lethal devices like water guns.
Police said the victims in this case were not participants in the game.
Old factories sit along the river in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on Aug. 16, 2019. Lawrence was once a major manufacturing city known for its textile and wool mills but has faced economic challenges since manufacturing declined. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Officials stressed that the activity is not sanctioned by schools and can quickly turn dangerous.
“While these activities may seem harmless, they can create dangerous situations and lead to serious legal consequences,” the Lawrence Police Department said.
The game has drawn increasing warnings from law enforcement across the country after realistic-looking toy weapons and ambush-style tactics have triggered emergency responses and raised safety concerns in multiple states.
In this photo released by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, the toy water gun carried by the 18-year-old student is marked as evidence. (Nassau County Sheriff’s Office)
Police in Connecticut issued warnings to local communities this week about the games, telling those participating that they should use brightly colored water guns that would not be mistaken for real weapons. Police added that the game should not be played while driving, and that players should avoid trespassing on private property and shooting at people who are not involved in the game.
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