High schoolers have been donning floaties to avoid being eliminated by the blast of a water gun in a student-led game called "Senior Assassins" for years.
But this school year, days after Queen Creek police warned the public about the possible legal consequences of participating in the game, two teens playing the game were arrested and accused of disorderly conduct.
Senior Assassins is not a school-sponsored activity. Students, typically seniors, use water guns or other means to eliminate other students in public, including parks, restaurants, shopping centers and neighborhoods. Items such as floaties or goggles typically serve as a shield from being targeted in public.
On Aug. 6, the Police Department said in a social media post that they "do
not endorse or encourage participation" in the game. The post said police officials were aware that students may play the game now that a new school year had begun.
Parents and guardians were "urged to speak with their teens about the risks involved and to ensure their participation does not lead to unsafe situations, cause public alarm, or result in legal consequences."
Police reminded the public not to use water guns that resembled firearms, show water guns off in a threatening or disorderly manner, trespass on private property, play in business areas, run into streets or traffic, drive recklessly or play around moving vehicles.
The message didn't appear to reach some people.
Two days later, about 10 p.m., police responded to reports of people with a gun at the In-N-Out Burger near Ellsworth and Rittenhouse roads, according to Police Chief Randy Brice. There were no reports of injuries or shots fired, Brice said.
Police swiftly responded and found that two 17-year-olds with water guns were participating in the game, Brice said. One was wearing a cloth-type mask, Brice said.
Both were arrested, and the investigation was still ongoing, Brice said.
Anyone who has concerns or who wants to report an incident can call the Queen Creek Police Department's non-emergency line at 480-358-3500 or 911 for emergencies.
The incident occurred one week after police in Idaho said a man with Arizona ties pulled up to the drive-through of a newly opened In-N-Out restaurant there and went on a shooting rampage that spread to nearby parking lots and businesses. Three people died, and seven people were injured.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Teens arrested after police raise concerns about 'Senior Assassins' game
