Are your kids playing 'senior assassins'? Brevard police departments offer safety tips

For years, skipping school and even pranking a favorite teacher have been among a host of largely harmless senior traditions.

Now, another rite of passage that's increased in popularity over the past 10 to 15 years has made its way to Brevard, raising concerns about student and public safety: a game called "senior assassins."

Senior assassins involves shooting other students with water guns. It sounds fun, especially in the Brevard heat, but can come with risks ranging from disrupting school functions to bystanders mistaking the water guns as actual firearms and intervening.

While not every high schooler participates, with some seniors at Viera High taking part in the game, Principal Heather LeGate put out a video on Friday warning parents about the game. She said the game, which was organized by students, can take place only off school property, and that if students shot at each other during school functions, they would be suspended.

"I want them to know that I'm serious about it," LeGate said. "There's a time and a place, and they've got to respect that."

Because the game is organized by students, it's not clear how many seniors throughout the county are participating.

How is "Senior Assassins" played

Each group of students might come up with a variation on the rules, but the general premise is that every senior is assigned a classmate that they must tag with a water gun or by tapping them on the shoulder, according to Catcher Games.

Prom, graduation photo spots: Planning to take prom or graduation photos? Try these picture-perfect spots around Brevard

The goal is to tag as many people as possible before the game is over without being tagged. It can last multiple weeks.

Catcher Games notes that some rules establish "safe zones." LeGate emphasized in her video to parents that students should consider school and all school functions as a safe zone so that they do not shoot at or tag one another in those areas.

Police: 'Be obvious that it's a game'

Earlier in April, Satellite Beach Police Department put out a statement on Facebook alerting the public about the game, saying they had received "numerous calls" from people who had seen students dressed in hoodies or masks. Officers had determined all of these students were playing senior assassins and were attempting to sneak up on their friends.

"Our officers respond to each of these 911 calls without knowledge of whether this is an incident of students just having fun or an actual crime is about to be committed," the post said.

It went on to say that the "sight of firearms, whether real or fake, may instill fear among the public," and some incidents could warrant a disorderly conduct charge.

"We strongly urge parents to talk with your kids about the risks of playing this game, and discourage the use of realistic fake guns," the post said.

Gun at school: Students suspended, 1 in custody after gun brought to Cocoa High

Sgt. Benjamin Slover with Melbourne Police Department had similar advice. Though he was unaware of any concerns in Melbourne, he said it's important to make sure everyone — including bystanders — knows that there is no threat to the public.

"Be obvious that it's a game and not a real incident," he said. "We wouldn't want anything bad to happen over a misunderstanding. Avoid making it look like anything other than a game so no one has to guess about the intent."

Russell Bruhn, a spokesperson for Brevard Public Schools, said the district and individual schools are not involved with the planning of senior assassins and that it is "an issue for families."

Similar concerns raised in big cities

While the game has gained more visibility due to social media, it's not new. Its reach has increased since the early 2010s, according to Parents. The parenting website went on to suggest its portrayal in "Gossip Girl" and "iCarly" may have led to its initial popularity.

In larger cities like Chicago, the game has sparked concerns about student and public safety, according to CBS News. The concerns are largely similar to the ones raised here in Brevard -- it can be difficult to tell if students are participating in a game, or if there is a real incident that requires law enforcement's involvement.

One incident in Chicago at a parking garage in a populated area in Schaumburg involved water guns that looked like real guns, according to CBS News. The incident resulted in a significant police response.

In another suburb, teens entered a restaurant in ski masks as part of the game, again with water guns that looked like real firearms, CBS reported. An adult with a concealed carry license believed they were a threat, though no one was hurt.

Finch Walker is the education reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at [email protected]. X: @_finchwalker.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 'Be obvious': Brevard police caution kids playing 'senior assassins'