Senior assassin game leads to lockout at Plainedge High School, raising safety concerns
Officials across Long Island are issuing a warning to kids and parents that from a distance, the water guns can look very real.
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Plainedge High School went on a lockout Tuesday morning after someone called 911 reporting what appeared to be students carrying guns. Police say the teens were participating in senior assassin, a tag-style game where water guns are used to knock out opponents.
“Two kids pulled out water guns that looked like guns," Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said. "They fired at two other kids. Somebody saw it and then they called 911."
Nassau police say it happened near Peony Drive and North Hickory Street, which is right next to the high school, causing a lockout at 8:15 a.m.
"It’s unbelievable that this is going on in this day and age," Plainedge resident Judy Ginsburg said.
Nassau police say they’ve had lockouts in about five different school districts.
“I think any form of gun violence is dangerous, even if it’s a water gun because it can be misconstrued for something it’s not," Massapequa resident Jennifer Gutkowski said.
Officials across Long Island are issuing a warning to kids and parents that from a distance, the water guns can look very real.
"They look like real guns and these kids are pulling them out and pointing out of windows of cars at kids on the street walking by and people see it and are calling that in," Ryder said.
“Parents should notify their children that this could be misinterpreted," Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said. "We don’t want to see anybody hurt as a result of somebody’s silly prank."
Officials say the game is typically not played on school grounds but it’s important to make sure kids are aware of the dangers.
"We’re going to lean on our parents and educators to make sure kids know this," Catalina said.
News 12 reached out to Plainedge Union Free School District, but hasn’t heard back yet.
