Senior Assassins Game With Water Guns Draws Warning From LCPS, Sheriff's Office

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A water gun game growing in popularity among senior students has led to reports from Loudoun County residents on what they thought were real guns.

Loudoun County Public Schools told families in a letter that high school senior students have been doing an ongoing "assassins game," a social media trend involving students trying to "eliminate" each other by spraying water guns. The sheriff's office has received calls about seeing what appeared to be guns in public but in reality were water guns.

According to LCPS, the game can involve water guns that look like real guns and participants hiding on private property.

LCPS said the game is not school-sponsored or endorsed. The school system expressed concerns that the look-alike guns could lead to "misunderstandings" or "accidents" involving residents and law enforcement that pose a risk to participants.

"We strongly discourage students from participating in this game due to the potential risks involved," LCPS shared. "The use of realistic-looking weapons and aggressive behavior can cause alarm among community members and law enforcement, who may not be aware of the context."

LCPS says all weapons, including look-alike weapons, are banned on school property and at school activities.

The sheriff's office joined LCPS to inform the public about the game and the risks it poses.