Calgary police urge caution as the ‘Senior Assassin’ game raises safety concerns with teens using realistic-looking water guns in public spaces.
Popular Teen Game Raises Safety Concerns in Calgary
A growing trend among high school seniors has Calgary police on alert. The live-action game “Senior Assassin” — often involving water guns and location-tracking apps — has prompted warnings from law enforcement as the game increasingly blurs the line between harmless fun and public safety risk.
Students across Calgary have begun participating in the nationwide phenomenon, which mimics spy-style eliminations using toy weapons, some of which are alarmingly realistic.
When Games Imitate Danger: The Problem with Realistic Props
What sets this game apart — and makes it so dangerous — is the use of replica weapons. In Ontario, similar games led to lockdowns and a teen being arrested at gunpoint after someone mistook a painted water gun for a real firearm.
“We haven’t, fortunately, had any major incidents in Calgary yet,” said Insp. Colleen Bowers from the Calgary Police Service’s Youth Services section. “But I fear that it could be a matter of time.”
According to Bowers, both citizens and officers may perceive these toy guns as genuine threats, putting teens at risk of serious consequences.
Schools and Police Work to Mitigate Risk
Both the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District have confirmed the game is being played among students and are actively collaborating with police and school leaders to address safety issues. They’ve reiterated that any form of weapon — including water guns and replicas — is strictly prohibited on school grounds.
The Role of Technology and the Need for Parental Oversight
The game’s structure relies heavily on a mobile app that assigns players their “targets” and tracks their movements using real-time location data. This feature has raised significant privacy and safety concerns.
“As parents, be aware of the social media. Be aware of what they’re doing on their phones,” Bowers warned. “They could be sharing their location with strangers, which puts them in serious danger.”
A Call for Awareness Before Play
As the game gains momentum, authorities are urging teens and families to fully understand the potential risks. What may appear to be innocent fun could quickly escalate into dangerous misunderstandings.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for more updates on youth safety and community awareness.
