A game that’s gained a lot of popularity among high school seniors over the last few years is drawing some safety concerns.
Dakota Hansen graduated from High School two years ago, but she still holds on to one very fond memory from her Senior year.
“I played the game senior assassins,” Hansen said.
According to San Diego Police Officer, Anthony Carrasco, while the rules of the game vary from school to school, he said the game involves teens wearing pool floaties around their arm, ankle, or wrist.
“And the way you get tagged out is with water. So a lot of high, school seniors are buying their own water guns, or some of those gel blasters,” Carrasco said.
Hansen said she used a nerf gun when she played, but officer Carrasco said some teens now days use guns that appear very real, like this Gel Blaster.
“This is my department issued gun. Yeah…they look very similar,” Carrasco said, as he compared a real gun with the gel blaster.
He said their realism could confuse officers responding to radio calls, making them think they’re responding to a real or perceived threat.
“A split-second misunderstanding can be deadly,” Carrasco said.
He said while there have been no reports of an incident involving one of these gel blasters in San Diego, there have been several across the country.
That’s why Officer Carrasco said teens need to make it blatantly obvious that the water guns they’re using is not real.
“As crazy colors and shapes that don’t look real, that’s the best bet,” Carrasco said.
While Hansen recognizes the dangers, she said she played it safe and now will forever cherish the memory.
“Honestly is something I’ll remember for a very long time,” Hansen said.
Carrasco said in some states, the perceived threat of a real weapon has led to school lockdowns.