The Owen Sound Police Service is reminding local teens to play safely as a water gun game known as Senior Assassin gains popularity among students. The game, often played by Grade 12 students in the weeks leading up to graduation at schools like Owen Sound District Secondary School, involves participants stalking and eliminating assigned targets using water guns.
Police are concerned that realistic-looking water guns can easily be mistaken for real firearms by the public and responding officers. Because these imitation weapons can be indistinguishable from the real thing at a distance or in high-stress situations, any report of a potential weapon must be treated as a serious threat by police until proven otherwise.
The Waterloo Regional Police Service, which issued a similar warning on April 15-16, 2026, stated that such activities create significant risks for everyone involved. In some cases, these incidents have led to emergency 911 calls and police interventions. In April 2026, an 18-year-old student in Indiana was arrested and charged with felony intimidation after a 911 caller reported the student was carrying a handgun, which was later identified as a water gun.
In addition to the public safety risks, residents should be aware that under federal law, many replica firearms are considered prohibited devices in Canada and cannot be transferred, imported, or sold. The Department of Public Safety notes that items resembling regulated firearms that do not meet specific power or velocity requirements are restricted.
To ensure the game does not result in unnecessary police involvement, local authorities are asking participants to respect private property, avoid targeting individuals who are not playing, and stay completely away from public roadways. Students are encouraged to consider the potential consequences of the game and find safer ways to celebrate the end of the school year.
