Police issue warning over TikTok ‘Senior Assassin’ game after teen dies

Police departments throughout North America are cautioning the public about a popular TikTok game known as ‘Senior Assassin’, which is believed to have resulted in the fatal incident of at least one teenager.

The popular game ‘Senior Assassin’ involves players using water, nerf, or paintball guns to eliminate their designated ‘target.’

The regulations vary depending on the game. In certain instances, participants are designated a classmate whom they must “eliminate”by shooting. In other scenarios, players work together in teams and must keep track of their “kills”in order to avoid being eliminated.

Despite not originating on TikTok, the game has become a viral sensation on the platform, with numerous videos of users’ “assassinations”and exaggerated strategies garnering millions of views.

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Although the game is commonly known as a “senior tradition,”it is not confined to school premises. However, authorities have expressed concern about individuals using airsoft and other imitation guns that closely resemble real weapons, taking the game to an extreme level.

Cheboygan County Police Chief Scott Rifenberg cited two instances where the game escalated to dangerous levels. In one, a participant unlawfully entered their opponent’s residence, while in the other, individuals wearing ski masks ran through a restaurant and encountered a legally licensed concealed weapon holder.

“Cheboygan County Sheriff Tim Cook cautioned that the situation could result in harm or death for someone. He also expressed concern that if anyone saw what appeared to be a deadly weapon, they may take action to protect the perceived victim, not realizing it is only a toy gun.”

Police in Canada have also issued a cautionary message about the hazards associated with the game, following reports of students in cars carrying objects that were initially thought to be real firearms. However, upon further investigation, officers from the Collingwood and Blue Mountains OPP determined that the items were in fact only water guns.

One variation of the ‘Senior Assassin’ game rules.

According to Inside Edition, a 16-year-old student named Justin Johnson from Pennsylvania may have passed away as a result of being targeted by others for his “assassination.” It is reported that Justin, who had sickle cell disease, was being pursued by students carrying what appeared to be weapons.

According to ABC, surveillance footage from the residence captured a group of teenagers arriving at Johnson’s doorstep with play guns and requesting that he “step outside.”

Despite his condition, Johnson was advised not to exert himself physically. Later, his father received a panicked call from his son, who had been pursued. Upon returning from work, the father discovered his son lying on the floor at home. The 911 operator instructed him to perform CPR until emergency services arrived, but the boy was tragically pronounced dead at the hospital.

During a press conference on May 1, the family and their attorney referenced the Senior Assassin game.

The lawyer explained that the game was designed for players to use water guns, pellet guns, or paintball guns to tag each other. It remains uncertain how much the school was aware of the game and whether or not students were participating in it.

The investigation into the boy’s death is still in progress.