'Senior Assassin' Games Are Underway For West Morris Students, Police Warn

CHESTER, NJ — Squirt gun–wielding students are popping out of bushes and ambushing each other in public as part of the nationwide “Senior Assassin” game.

Recently, the police department in neighboring Washington Township issued a warning to residents about a game that students in the West Morris Regional High School District had been playing.

"The 'Senior Assassin' game has begun for many West Morris Central High School Students here in Washington Twp. and other local High Schools in the area," police said.

Senior Assassin is a student-organized activity and is not affiliated with either the high schools or their respective districts. In the game, seniors are assigned targets—other participating students—whom they must “eliminate” by tagging with water guns.

It's essentially a high-stakes version of hide-and-seek, often played in public spaces, officials said.

Because the game typically involves students sneaking through neighborhoods, hiding behind buildings, and surprising other players, it can sometimes lead to reports of suspicious activity, police said.

One of the rules is that the game is not allowed to be played during school hours or on school grounds. Most of the game is played at night and on the weekends.

Police are reminding residents that, whether it’s part of the game or not, they should never hesitate to call if something seems out of place.

Here are some safety reminders for the seniors participating in the game and their families:

1. Do not trespass — especially after dark. If you are asked to leave someone’s property, do so immediately and respectfully.
2. Use only brightly colored or transparent water guns — to avoid them being mistaken for real weapons, which can lead to serious consequences.
3. If approached by police, do not run or hide — officers are aware of the game. Remain calm, cooperative, and explain your participation.
4. Drive safely and follow all traffic laws — do not speed, swerve, or drive recklessly while pursuing or avoiding targets. Remember, provisional license holders must obey curfews and passenger restrictions.