Fake assassinations prompt real police response in Oakville, Burlington, Georgetown, Ontario
Published May 1, 2024 at 4:13 pm
Students playing the social roleplaying game of “Assassin” has led to several police calls after witnesses have been fooled into believing the fake gunplay is real.
Halton Regional Police say they have received at least three calls this week from members of the public who thought they were seeing a real crime unfold. Instead, in each of these instances, water guns were being used by children or high school students.
In all cases no charges were filed and there have been no injuries. The occurrences happened in Oakville, Burlington, and Georgetown.
A similar incident may have occurred today (May 1) when two Burlington schools had to take precautionary measures over fears that a “possible firearm” was spotted in the parking lot at Notre Dame Secondary School on Headon Forest Drive. After investigating police found that the spotted weapon was also a water gun.
Known as Assassin or Gotcha, the game is played when participants attempt to “kill” one another by touching or “shooting” with a pretend weapon. Nerf guns, water guns, plastic swords or sticks are also used.
In some ways, the game is similar to the virtual Pokémon GO fad that was popular about seven years ago as it is virtual and involves roleplaying.
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Police forces in other parts of North America have also been dealing with the Assassin game by responding to complaints that turned out to be kids playing.
Today, Halton police issued a bulletin about Assassin and asked young people to stop playing it.
“To ensure the safety of students and eliminate the risk of an unnecessary encounter with officers…we discourage youth from participating in this game as these incidents can cause public distress and garner an elevated police response, especially when the fake guns resemble real firearms,” police said.
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