VILLA PARK, Ill. — A popular high school graduation tradition is drawing scrutiny from law enforcement agencies across the country, as police warn that realistic-looking toy guns and late-night chases through residential neighborhoods could lead to dangerous, and potentially deadly misunderstandings.
Villa Park police issued an alert Wednesday after receiving reports of students participating in "Senior Assassin," a game in which graduating seniors stalk and "eliminate" assigned targets using water guns, gel blasters or Nerf-style weapons.
"Please be aware that you may see groups of teens running in neighborhoods as part of this activity," the Village of Villa Park said in a statement. "Residents are encouraged to call 911 if they observe suspicious behavior or any criminal activity."
Senior Assassin is student-organized and not affiliated with schools. The game has been played in various forms for decades, but its reach has expanded sharply since the early 2010s, fueled by social media and group messaging apps that let students coordinate in real time, share footage of their eliminations and recruit larger pools of players.
That visibility has come with a cost. In April 2025, Gurnee police responded to a report of a disturbance at a busy restaurant, where students had targeted another teen with a water gun as part of the game. An adult with a concealed carry license, unaware it was a game, mistook the scene for a genuine threat. No one was injured, but police said the encounter could have escalated quickly.
Police warn that that the toys used game are nearly indistinguishable from real firearms, particularly at night or from a distance. Villa Park police stopped short of banning the game, acknowledging it is not inherently illegal. But they cautioned that specific behaviors associated with it, such as trespassing on private property, brandishing a realistic replica firearm in public, or engaging in disorderly conduct, could result in criminal charges or ordinance violations.
Officials urged parents to have direct conversations with their teens before graduation season peaks. Recommended guidance includes prohibiting the use of ski masks or face coverings in public, setting clear limits on where and when students can gather, and discouraging any interaction with strangers or moving vehicles during gameplay. Students should alo avoid public spaces where bystanders are likely to witness and potentially misread the activity.
"The goal is not to dampen school traditions," Villa Park police said, "but to ensure that what begins as a game does not end in tragedy."